Leonard Charles Calkins

RICHFIELD SPRINGS – Leonard Charles Calkins "Coach", age 79 passed away unexpectedly on Thursday afternoon, January 6, 2022 in his home.

He was born on May 16, 1942, in Schenectady, son of the late George L. and Sadie (Przekop) Calkins.  Raised in Schenectady he was a graduate of Draper High School.  On March 6, 1961, he enlisted in the US Air Force.  He served with the 328 th Combat Support Group and was the recipient of the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award.  He was Honorably Discharged on March 5, 1965 attaining the rank of Airman 2 nd Class.

On May 4, 1963, he was united in marriage to the former Patricia MacDonald in St. Gabriel's RC Church in Schenectady.  For seventeen years he worked as a food inspector for the New York State Agriculture and markets in Albany.  In 1981, he and his family moved to Richfield Springs.  For the past thirty-five years, he worked for the Richfield Central School System as a bus aide and more notably as the Richfield Springs High School Football Coach who truly loved his job.

Mr. Calkins had a strong belief in god and was a member of St. Joseph the Worker RC Church, Richfield Springs.  He was also a member of the Richfield Springs Veteran Club.

In his leisure time he was an outdoor person who enjoyed hunting with bow and arrow as well as teaching the sport to others.  Lenny will always be remembered as a devoted family man, a helpful man who was always there to help while looking for nothing in return and a man who projected a fatherly image to all the kids he coached and cared for.  He was happiest when he was with his many friends and family, especially his cherished grandchildren.  He will be sadly missed.

Surviving him are his loving wife of fifty-eight years, Patricia affectionately known as "Mrs. Coach", three sons, James Calkins of Mohawk, Scott Calkins and his wife Kimberly of Newport, Shawn Calkins of Sidney Center, eight grandchildren, Samantha Calkins and her partner Nick Shirriah of Yonkers, Emily Calkins and her partner Thomas Manna of Clifton Parkt, Christopher Calkins of Clifton Park, Hannah Calkins of Sidney Center, Daniel Calkins of Sidney Center, Patrick Calkins of Yorkville, Lucas and Liam Calkins both of Newport, several nieces, including a special niece Kathleen Duchesne and her husband Mark of Scotia, nephews, great nieces, nephews and cousins.  Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by his son Jeffrey Calkins in 1987, a brother Donald Calkins and a Sister Catherine Lamp.

All are invited to a Celebration of Leonard's Life on January 16 th from 11:00 am until 4:00 pm in the Richfield Springs High School Gymnasium.  Interment with military honors will be later this spring in St. Jospeh's Cemetery.

Expressions of sympathy may be made with memorial donations to the Leonard C. Calkins Scholarship Fund, c/o RSCS, 93 West Main Street, Richfield Springs, NY 13439

Funeral arrangements are with J. Seaton McGrath Funeral Home, 40 West James Street, Richfield SpringS.