Leonard James Cairns, 93, of Bovina Center, passed away on Saturday, February 19, 2022, peacefully surrounded by his loving family at Fox Hospital in Oneonta.
Born on May 26, 1928 in Andes, Leonard was the son of the late James and Mae (Fisher) Cairns.
He was a graduate of Andes Central School and attended Canterbury College in Danville, Ind.
Leonard worked for the Gerry Estate at Lake Delaware and for the Andes Co-op Creamery until entering the U.S. Marine Corps in 1950. Corporal Cairns, a Purple Heart recipient, was honorably discharged in 1953 following his service as a tank driver in the Korean War.
Leonard returned to the area and spent 30 years working at SUNY Delhi as a stationary engineer until his retirement.
He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Lillian Ann Cairns; three children, John (Nancy) Cairns of Saratoga Springs, Margi (Scott) Reither of Farmville, N.C. and Jeffrey (Heather) Cairns of Wallingford, Vermont; grandchildren Zachary, Michael, Morgan, Madison (Mark), Megan and Linden; great-granddaughter Aurora; two sisters Gladys Platania of North Carolina and Dawn Clark of South Carolina; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.
Leonard will be remembered for his fun-loving spirit, devotion to God and family, and his infectious smile.
A celebration of Leonard’s life will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, May 28, at St. James Church at Lake Delaware, 55 Lake Delaware Drive, Delhi.
Contributions in memory of Leonard may be made to St. James Church at Lake Delaware or to Bovina EMS.
Visit www.macarthurfh.com to share a condolence with the Cairns family.
