Denault, Leo W.

DELMAR- Leo Wilfred Denault, 95, father of six and grandfather of eighteen, passed away peacefully on November 20, 2022 of natural causes, surrounded by his family.

Leo was born August 27, 1927 in Auburn, New York, to Aldea Blanche Denno (née LePage ) and Wilfred L. Denno (Denault). He was a born learner who spent his life seeking knowledge and adventure. He graduated from Siena College in 1951 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and enriched that knowledge with a Master of Social Work degree from Fordham University in 1953.

Leo married Elizabeth Jane Nolan, of Auburn, New York on August 1, 1959. Leo and Betty Jane started their family in Putnam Valley, NY, moving to Cold Spring and eventually Delmar, NY in 1967. Leo mourned the loss of Betty Jane on May 12, 1997, when she passed after a prolonged illness.

Beginning his career as a case worker in a group home in Middletown, NY and as a school social worker in Putnam County, Leo was a committed advocate for his clients. In 1967 he took a position with the New York State Education Department. He worked there for 28 years administering services for the Migrant Educational Program and advocating for the children of migrant agricultural workers, before retiring in 1995. He also volunteered his skills, helping people with AIDS during the height of the crisis.

He was an avid archer, and competed in The Empire State Games and traveled with his friends to tournaments throughout the country. He enjoyed travel, touring Europe in a red Porsche 356 that he picked up in Stuttgart in 1954. He visited Ireland and China, and made several trips across the country with his camper after retirement. His compassion extended to his pet dogs; understanding their care, behavior, and training, and tending to their health; often commenting that he missed his calling as a veterinarian.

Leo’s passion for reading opened a world to him that let his interests and knowledge grow throughout his life. He always had a new “how-to” book. He used this knowledge on many adventures, from learning how to take the perfect picture, sailing his Day Sailer across Owasco Lake, and a never ending series of handyman projects.

An avid science fiction and fantasy fan, Leo did not keep his love of reading to himself. He fostered this passion in his children; James Denault, Kathleen Radford, Michelle Brusic, Mary Clare McKillop, Denis Denault, and Ruth Templeton, as well as his grandchildren Robert Cimorelli and Claire Denault; Shannon, Sarah, and Michael Radford; Andrew, Lilian, and Isabelle Brusic; Ryan, Tessa, Maxwell, and Jane McKillop; Soren, Anton, and Amelie Denault; Nicholas, Cecelia, and Anna Templeton. He showered each one with books that took them on the fantasy adventures of a hobbit, or through the halls of a school of magic.

He encouraged their interests with books on chess, animal care, and the arts. There was always a book of photography or art, chess strategy or dog psychology on his coffee table. Grandchildren could open drawers to find them stocked with decks of cards, dominoes, or checkers to fill afternoons with strategic games.

Leo warmly welcomed his children's spouses into his family, including Catherine Wilson, Bart Radford, Wayne McKillop, and Jeffrey Templeton.

Leo was fascinated by the world of technology. In 1971 he had the first pocket calculator, a Bowmar Brain. In the 80’s he bought a Commodore 64 computer followed by a long line of the latest Apple devices. He was always open to understanding and embracing new innovations. Leo was exploring the internet before there was a world wide web, making pen pals around the world; keeping in touch for decades.

Although he was a gentle person, he held firm to his ideals of justice and compassion, demonstrating in his work and life his belief in the humanity of all people. He led by an example of curiosity and exploration; encouraging and inspiring his children to follow their passions, wherever they might lead.

A few weeks before his death, he was heard saying to one of his children, “We really do have a great family, don’t we?”

“To laugh often and much; To win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of

children; To earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; To

appreciate beauty, to find the best in others; To leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition; To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded.”

- Ralph Waldo Emerson

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Capital District Humane Association, PO Box 11330, Loudonville, NY 12211 or Community Hospice Foundation, 310 S. Manning Blvd. Albany, NY 12208 in Leo’s name.

The family held a private entombment at Our Lady Help of Christians Cemetery in Glenmont, NY.