Salem….





Leonard J. Gravel, age 82, husband of June D. (Roberts) Gravel died in Massachusetts

General Hospital on Tuesday, February 1, 2011 following a long illness. On Friday, February 4 he and his wife would have celebrated 60 years of marriage.



A lifelong Salem resident he was born, raised and educated in Salem the son of the late Edmund and Florence (Redmond) Gravel. Once he completed school, Mr. Gravel joined the United States Coast Guard Reserve. During the Korean War, he joined the United States Army serving as a Sergeant and Tank Commander. Following his discharge he became employed by GTE Sylvania on Boston St., for 45 years until retiring.



An inductee of the Salem High School Hall of Fame, Mr. Gravel was and active participant with the Salem Football Boosters for over 50 years. He was also a member of the A.O.H Division 18 in Salem where he had served as Captain of the Color Guard Team for many years and also helped to establish the boy's boxing club.



In addition to his wife, Mr. Gravel survived by four children, Donna Maria Bonarrigo and her husband Frank of Aquebogue, NY, Patricia and her husband Philip Capodanno of Billerica, Michael Leonard Gravel of Salem and Lori Gravel and Paul Winter of Haverhill; a brother David Gravel of Houston, TX; four grandchildren, Kelly Kelly, Erik Lach, Joshua Gravel and Ryan Gravel and many nieces and nephews.



He was predeceased by a sister Dorothy Pitts and a brother Robert Gravel.



His funeral will be held on Saturday at 2:00 PM in the Murphy Funeral Home, 85 Federal St., (cor of North St) Salem. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend. Visiting hours will be Today, Friday from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM. in the funeral home. Interment will be Private. Those who wish may make memorial contributions to the Leonard Gravel Scholarship Fund, c/o Salem Five,210 Essex St., Salem, MA 01970. For online guest book or additional information, please call 978 744 0497 or visit www.MurphyFuneralHome.com.