Name: Leonard A. Wilkins Date: June 16, 1926 - April 9, 2012 Obituary: Leonard Allen "Alkie" Wilkins died Monday evening, April 9, 2012. He is survived by his wife of 62 years Virginia, his son Jack, daughters Peg O'Shea of Massena, Connie and husband Steve Dona, of Franklin, MA, Mary Dunham of Chandler, AZ, 12 grandchildren, six great grandchildren. He is also survived by his three sisters Donalda Sedlock of Massena, Dorothy Eros of Massena, and Kathryn Toth of Frankenmuth, MI, two brothers Dennis and Wallace Wilkins both of Port Charlotte. He was born June 16, 1926 in Milrush, Ontario the son of George and Eva (Martin) Wilkins, and coming to Massena when he was very young. At 18 years of age he volunteered for military duty and was assigned to the 32nd Infantry's Red Arrow Division as part of General MacArthur's Pacific Campaign. In May 1945 he fought in the 119 day battle in Caraballo Mountains to secure the strategically important Villa Verde Trail that ultimately led to victory in the Pacific. Leonard was very proud to have served as Sergeant with the 32nd Division and very proud to have served his country. He fought the war as a liberator not as a conqueror. He was awarded the Bronze Star for his heroic military duty form October 1944 - August 1946. Leonard married Virginia D'Arienzo on August 27, 1948 at St. Mary's Church with the Rev. Earl Nichols presiding. For many years he was the proprietor of Alkie's Liquor Store which he ran with his business partner and wife Virginia. A celebration of Leonard's life will be Thursday at 10:00 am at St. Mary's Church with Rev. Donald Manfred presiding and Rev. David DeLuca. followed by a luncheon at the St. Mary's Social Hall who are all invited to attend. Memorials: Hospice & Palliative Care of St. Lawrence Valley Services: 10:00AM at St. Mary's Church on Thursday, April 12th, 2012 (map/driving directions) Cemetery: Calvary Cemetery (Massena) Maple Street Massena, NY 13662 (map/driving directions)