Leonard D. DeCoste Obituary
Leonard D. DeCoste, 84, of Danvers, husband of Judith L. (Drake) DeCoste, passed away in Lahey Hospital in Burlington on Friday, July 22, 2022, surrounded by his loving family.
Leonard was born in Gloucester, MA on October 4, 1937, and was the son of the late Leonard J. and Marjorie L. (Doucette) DeCoste.
He graduated from Gloucester High School with the Class of 1955 and furthered his education at Bentley University where he received his bachelor's degree in Accounting in 1971.
After high school, Lenny served in the US Air Force for four years. While in the Air Force, he played baseball for Presque Isle Air Force Base in 1957-58, where he was the team captain and member of the all-star team. Upon leaving the service he joined the Merchant's semi-pro baseball team and was on a North Shore League championship team.
He worked at GTE Sylvania for over 30 years in multiple positions in Finance and was President of the Quarter Century Club.
He coached his two sons in baseball and hockey in both South Portland, Maine and Hamilton, Massachusetts. He was one the founders of the All Sports Booster Club at Hamilton-Wenham Regional High School. He also helped organize the first Youth Hockey Organization in Hamilton. One of his favorite memories was managing the Hamilton-Wenham Baseball Town Team.
His love of boating and fishing led him to discover Sebago Lake in Maine where his family continues to build amazing memories in this special place.
Lenny and Judy spent the last twenty years between Danvers and Florida where they made numerous lifelong friends, hosting many holiday events and enjoying tennis, pickle ball and Friday night pizza.
He is survived by his beloved wife Judith, with whom he shared 62 years of marriage; his children, Pamela L'Italien and her husband Michael of Newburyport, David DeCoste and his wife Carrie of Chelmsford, Stephen DeCoste and his wife Pamela of Newbury. He has left a wonderful legacy in his seven grandsons of whom he was extremely proud: Christopher (Erin), Michael (Nicole), Daniel (Tiffany), Andrew (Camille), Brian, Ryan and Alex and four beautiful great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his brother Peter J. DeCoste and his wife Roberta of Englewood, Florida, his sister-in-law Barbara DeCoste of Gloucester, his brother-in-law Robert Drake and his wife Maria of San Francisco, CA, as well as many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
He was predeceased by his parents and his brother Charles DeCoste.
Family and friends are cordially invited to the Greely Funeral Home, 212 Washington St, Gloucester, MA on Tuesday, July 26, 2022. Visiting hours will be from 10am to 12pm, immediately followed by a service at the same location. His burial will be held privately. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in his memory to: Lahey Hospital & Medical Center Gift Processing, Office of Philanthropy, 330 Brookline Ave (OV), Boston, MA 02215.
