Coral Springs-Parkland Fire Department Loses A Hero – Nate Leonard

Coral Springs Firefighter James ‘Nate’ Leonard Passes Away After 2 Year Fight With Cancer. Nate Leonard, 43, Passed Away On Wednesday, January 12th, 2022.

Nate Leonard, Image Courtesy Of Coral Springs-Parkland Fire Department

Coral Springs, FL – Boca Post (BocaPost.com) — Coral Springs-Parkland Fire Department is mourning the loss of one of their own this week as Firefighter/Paramedic James ‘Nate’ Leonard passed away Wednesday morning on January 12th, 2022.

Nate Leonard, 43, of Coral Springs, passed away peacefully on Wednesday morning after his courageous two-year fight with cancer.

“Nate was a true public servant, he was brave in his duties as a firefighter and paramedic, but equally brave as he faced and fought cancer. While we are heartbroken by his death, our focus is on Nate’s family and providing them with the support and comfort they need as we prepare to lay, Nate, a true hero, to rest” said Michael McNally, Fire Chief, Coral Springs-Parkland Fire Department.

The Mayor of Coral Springs, Scott Brook, expresses his gratitude for Nate’s unwavering dedication to public service in his statement, “On behalf of the Coral Springs City Commission, we extend our heartfelt condolences to the Leonard family and his fire family. We offer our unwavering support to his grieving family during this difficult time and will forever honor Nate’s service to our community.”

Nate is survived by his wife, Nina, parents, Jim and Marilyn Leonard, and sister, Valerie Leonard.

Service Arrangements

Viewing:
Thursday, January 13, 2022 – 6:00-8:00 p.m.
Monarch Funeral Home
2950 N. State Road 7, Margate, FL

Funeral Mass:
Friday, January 14, 2022 – 10:00 a.m.
Saint Andrew Catholic Church
9950 NW 29^th Street, Coral Springs, FL

Livestreamed

View Livestream Services for Nate By Clicking Here

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations are made here, to benefit The League of Cancer.

A personal note from The Editor-In-Chief

This was a very hard article for me to write. I met Nate a little over 15 years ago as we worked together prior to him joining the fire department. I knew Nate was special when I met him and we quickly became the best of friends. Nate was the most caring, generous, sincerest, and kindest person I have ever met in my life. Nate was truly one of a kind. You are lucky if you ever meet a person like him once in your lifetime. I was fortunate to spend the majority of my adult life calling Nate my best friend and honored that he called me the same.

Nate loved being a firefighter. I remember when he got hired at Coral Springs-Parkland, he was so extremely proud and excited. Being a firefighter was a lifelong goal of his and it was not an easy journey. Nate loved helping people, that is who he was. That is why you will hear what an amazing firefighter he was. Being a firefighter was not work for him, it was his passion.

I will always cherish the time that we spent together and appreciate the positive effect Nate has left on my life. While I will truly miss that smile and the signature ‘Nate wave’ of his, Nate will forever live in my heart. I know this sentiment is shared by many people who have such a deep appreciation for Nate. We will all miss him dearly.

Watching Nate courageously fight this terrible disease over the last two years has been an emotional rollercoaster with an absolutely heartbreaking ending. I can only take solace in knowing he is no longer in pain and agony. He was too good of a person to continue to suffer like that.

I love and miss you, friend.