To the Editor:
When our dad (Richard Leonard) was promoted to president and CEO of the Martha’s Vineyard Cooperative Bank in 1989 (a big job for an Island boy freshly graduated from UMass), our mom (Pia Centenari-Leonard) gifted him a poem by Ralph Waldo Emerson called “What Is Success?” She had framed the poem, which she had copied with love in her best calligraphy, to inspire him in his new position. The poem reads: “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.”
We’re not sure if our dad intentionally lives his life by this poem, but from our front-row seats watching him serve our community these past 35 years, it certainly seems that he does. From his work at the bank helping Islanders budget to move closer to their personal and professional aspirations, or to save up for college tuitions — to helping families apply for mortgages and settle in their forever homes, to coaching youth basketball for a decade, and then volunteering at the scoreboard at MVRHS games, to leading the charge in the struggle for affordable housing, to sitting on the board of the Chamber of Commerce to strengthen our local economy, to working with the You’ve Got a Friend fund, supporting Islanders in need — he has given all he has to our community, leaving the world a little better through redeemed social conditions. His commitment to this mission, and his integrity in everything he does, has earned him the appreciation of honest critics across the Island and beyond, as well as the respect of people in many different arenas.
Finishing his career with the Cape Cod 5 Cent Savings Bank has been the perfect way to say goodbye to a lifetime of banking on Martha’s Vineyard. He was able to continue doing what he loved — helping to build up and fortify the Island where he was born and raised — while also helping to bring another local banking option to our shores.
We write this from our respective classrooms: Tonya from the Oak Bluffs School, and Brielle from Lexington High School, where the framed Emerson poem now sits, reminding us to focus our careers the way our dad focused his — with respect, appreciation, endurance, commitment, fairness, integrity, passion, and love. Although you won’t be seeing him at the bank anymore, you can rest assured that he is actively appreciating the beauty of our Island, working in his little garden patch by the Lagoon. You will probably be able to spot him at any local playground or beach, playing with one (or all) of his four grandchildren (whose affection he has already won, a million times over). Happy retirement, Dad. Many lives have breathed easier because you have lived. Thank you for all you have done for our beautiful Island. You’ve succeeded.
Tonya Leonard Katz, Third grade, Oak Bluffs School
Brielle Leonard-Palin, Guidance, Lexington High School
We’re opening up comments on this letter, which we don’t normally do, to give the community an opportunity to congratulate Richard on his retirement. Personally, he welcomed me to my Island job and almost immediately made me feel comfortable at one of my first public events. Best wishes on your retirement, Richard.
Happy retirement indeed! I have known Richard since my arrival here about 25 years ago and have worked with him from when I first landed on the Island Housing Trust board in 2005 to today. While his daughters certainly have a front row seat and a somewhat prejudiced (in a good way!) perspective, they are 100% accurate in characterizing Richard as giving “all he has to our community, leaving the world a little better through redeemed social conditions.” I will add that he has been a prime example of how to lead and foster consensus from a group of like-minded but also very opinionated non-profit volunteers. I have learned from him – particularly that this “outsider” needs to listen to the entire community, especially the “natives”. And I continue to learn from him. Thank you, Richard, for your friendship and your counsel. May you enjoy every minute of the years ahead; you’ve earned and deserve it.
Congratulations on retirement, Richard! Enjoy!
Cousin Susan and Larry Greenberg
Hastings on Hudson, NY
Congrats Richard! Wow, what a wonderful piece by your daughters. So true! I had the privilege of teaching you at MVRHS and from that time on, we became friends. You became my banker and personal financial advisor for many, many years. I appreciate you so much and am so proud not only of your professional accomplishments but your heartfelt caring and concern about our students that they would learn about banking and investing in their futures. You always took the time for anyone who needed financial advice and always with calm and real concern.
THANK YOU RICHARD LEONARD for serving and continuing to serve our wonderful island community. Best to you and your family!
Congratulations Richard on your well-earned retirement decision! It has always been a pleasure working with you, and I so appreciate the heart you bring to each situation.
Congratulations Richard. Job well done. You have earned your place by the lagoon and your wonderful family. Enjoy!!
Thank you for all that you’ve achieved and helped others to achieve as well. Congratulations on your retirement!
Congratulations Richard on your retirement. It has been a true privilege to service beside you on the chamber board and I would agree wholeheartedly that we are all better because of you! Have fun with the grandkids and enjoy your time in the garden, and remember life is short, eat dessert!
Take care, your friend always
Beth Russell
What a beautiful tribute Tonya & Brielle! I have known Richard since my family moved to the island in 2001. Coming from CA, I had no idea what community banking really was. Although banking has changed tremendously, Richard definitely instilled a sense of community commitment in me which has grown throughout the years we have worked together. I have heard so many stories and met so many of his friends that sometimes I feel like I grew up here. He definitely puts blood, sweat and tears into the people, projects and ideas he is most passionate about. Thank you Richard for your mentorship, advise & friendship. May the best of your Todays be the worst of your Tomorrows! Congratulations!
Congrats on a long career of helping people and making the place so much better. And what an honor to bestowed upon you by Tonya & Brielle with Emerson’s quote. Been a long time since high school, but good luck to you all.
Warm regards,
Don Bagnall
What a beautiful and accurate tribute given by Richard’s daughters. He certainly, in our personal experience with him, has lived up to everything they said about him. He helped my Husband Jeff (before I had met him) with a difficult financial dilemma that was no fault of his own. Then he reached out and offered to put on a fund raiser when I was diagnosed with a rare blood disorder (we gratefully declined) and then he was instrumental in helping us get a loan for our affordable housing home. He made a significant difference in our lives for which we are eternally grateful. Richard: we wish you and Pia a long, happy and fulfilling retirement and the best of everything life has to offer. You are two special people, as are your daughters. Deb and Jeff Wass
I’m not sure this island will ever let Richard Leonard retire — but we’re lucky that we get to acknowledge him and all his gifts to our community at this particular pause in his life.
Richie, you deserve all the accolades you’re receiving — for your leadership in affordable housing and in making banking truly “community banking,” for personal mentoring of so many men and women over the years, for always being true to the principles you and Pia live by (and your children pass on), and for the warmth and sense of humor and emotional intelligence you bring to community problem-solving. I wish Ben were still here to join me and the whole Moore-Worlock family in wishing you joyful days and sparkling nights wherever you are. With love, Paddy Moore
Richard, what a testament to you…most of us would love to have just a sentence or two written about us…but you got paragraphs, all well deserved, and from your kids…even more spectacular….you will always be a good colleague, a good friend, good for our Island in so many ways, many “beyond” your banking role…don’t forget that retirement is not a noun, but a verb…Thank you for you…Gerald
I have known Richard my entire life. We grew up in the neighborhood together playing football, basketball, stickball, you name it. When I returned to the island in 1993 I wanted to start a youth basketball league. It did not take long for me to recruit Richard to help out with coaching, organizing, and just about anything I asked of him, he was happy to do it and then some. Richard knows nothing else but to go all in and commit to a cause. He is such a giving person and I have nothing but praise for all that he has done for our community. He fights for the underdog and makes our island community a much better place to live. Congratulations on your much-earned retirement. I applaud you, my friend! Enjoy your next chapter, retirement will be the best job you ever had! God Bless!
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