Obituary for Leon N. "Lee" King, Jr.
Leon Napoleon King, Jr. 87, of Hampden, MA, died peacefully at Baystate Medical Center on December 2, 2023, surrounded by his loved ones. Lee was a devout father, grandfather, and husband who lived an active life working and helping others up until his passing.
He was born in Hackensack, NJ in 1936 to Leon N. King Sr. and Jeannette (Frappier) King. Leon was the 2nd of 8 children growing up in Abington, CT, before joining the Army in 1953. While in the Army, stationed in Germany, he met his wife, Hannelore E. (Romer) King. The couple began their life together in Hartford, CT, before purchasing a home in Enfield, CT. Leon and Hannelore raised their three children in Enfield, Kirk, Stuart and Donna. In the early years of marriage, Leon was determined to make a better life for his family working days and attending college at night. He eventually earned his degree from Hartford State Technical Institute. After working for about 10 years in the heating business, he decided to strike out on his own and form his own company, L.N. King Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning. Shortly after, as business expanded, his longtime friend John Paluch became his business partner and the two of them successfully grew the business together.
Lee had many interests and hobbies. He enjoyed skiing with his family and made several trips out west. He was also an avid fisherman throughout his life and imparted that love of fishing to his sons. He made many deep – sea fishing trips including trips to Alaska despite battling motion sickness. Lee also enjoyed woodworking. He built his current home and was frequently working on something around the house. Slowing down and taking it easy was not in his vocabulary. He loved to go to auctions and estate sales and was also reluctant to pass on a good deal whether he needed it or not.
Lee will be remembered as a loving father, grandfather, and husband. He will be sorely missed by all those he touched.
Lee leaves behind his children, Kirk King and Paula Formeister of East Hartford, and Stuart and Maria King of Ellington, Donna and Raymond Mancuso of Broad Brook; grandchildren, Amber Miskell, Michelle and Steven Rebello, Lindsay and Tony Lovisa, Samantha and Nick Veltman, Karli King, Michael and Amanda Mancuso, 4 great grandchildren and his sisters, Dolores and Claire.
In the early 90’s Lee started a 2nd chapter of his life with his life partner, Jacqueline A. (Paradis) Fournier of Hampden, MA, to which this life was filled with love and joy. Along with his life partner, Lee leaves behind Jackie’s children, Carla (Fournier) French and Nicholas Fournier and his wife, Jennifer all of Longmeadow, MA, grandchildren, Daniel, Michael, and Amelia French, Ryanne, Marleigh, Violette, and Addison Fournier.
In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his former wife, Hannelore, and recently by Jackie’s son, Ross Fournier.
Family and friends are invited to gather on Thursday, December 7, for calling hours from 4 – 7 p.m. at Browne Memorial Funeral Chapels, 43 Shaker Rd., Enfield, CT. His burial with military honors will be private at the Massachusetts Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery in Agawam. In lieu of flowers, donations in Lee’s name may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758516, Topeka, Kansas 66675-8516. www.brownememorialfuneralchapels.com
He was born in Hackensack, NJ in 1936 to Leon N. King Sr. and Jeannette (Frappier) King. Leon was the 2nd of 8 children growing up in Abington, CT, before joining the Army in 1953. While in the Army, stationed in Germany, he met his wife, Hannelore E. (Romer) King. The couple began their life together in Hartford, CT, before purchasing a home in Enfield, CT. Leon and Hannelore raised their three children in Enfield, Kirk, Stuart and Donna. In the early years of marriage, Leon was determined to make a better life for his family working days and attending college at night. He eventually earned his degree from Hartford State Technical Institute. After working for about 10 years in the heating business, he decided to strike out on his own and form his own company, L.N. King Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning. Shortly after, as business expanded, his longtime friend John Paluch became his business partner and the two of them successfully grew the business together.
Lee had many interests and hobbies. He enjoyed skiing with his family and made several trips out west. He was also an avid fisherman throughout his life and imparted that love of fishing to his sons. He made many deep – sea fishing trips including trips to Alaska despite battling motion sickness. Lee also enjoyed woodworking. He built his current home and was frequently working on something around the house. Slowing down and taking it easy was not in his vocabulary. He loved to go to auctions and estate sales and was also reluctant to pass on a good deal whether he needed it or not.
Lee will be remembered as a loving father, grandfather, and husband. He will be sorely missed by all those he touched.
Lee leaves behind his children, Kirk King and Paula Formeister of East Hartford, and Stuart and Maria King of Ellington, Donna and Raymond Mancuso of Broad Brook; grandchildren, Amber Miskell, Michelle and Steven Rebello, Lindsay and Tony Lovisa, Samantha and Nick Veltman, Karli King, Michael and Amanda Mancuso, 4 great grandchildren and his sisters, Dolores and Claire.
In the early 90’s Lee started a 2nd chapter of his life with his life partner, Jacqueline A. (Paradis) Fournier of Hampden, MA, to which this life was filled with love and joy. Along with his life partner, Lee leaves behind Jackie’s children, Carla (Fournier) French and Nicholas Fournier and his wife, Jennifer all of Longmeadow, MA, grandchildren, Daniel, Michael, and Amelia French, Ryanne, Marleigh, Violette, and Addison Fournier.
In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his former wife, Hannelore, and recently by Jackie’s son, Ross Fournier.
Family and friends are invited to gather on Thursday, December 7, for calling hours from 4 – 7 p.m. at Browne Memorial Funeral Chapels, 43 Shaker Rd., Enfield, CT. His burial with military honors will be private at the Massachusetts Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery in Agawam. In lieu of flowers, donations in Lee’s name may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758516, Topeka, Kansas 66675-8516. www.brownememorialfuneralchapels.com