Obituary of Leonard Joseph Rice

"Len" Age 93, passed away peacefully on June 27, 2015 in Stuart FL where he had been residing the last several years. Leonard was born in Elmira on April 21, 1922 the son of Louise Morrow. He was predeceased by his son Leonard Joseph Rice, Jr. and brother Michael Francis Rice. Leonard is survived by his wife of 69 years Helen C. Ross Rice; daughter Lenore Jane "Loni" Rice of Archer FL with her children, Rahshel Claire-Ann Rice and Shadsun Leonard Rice with wife Heather; daughter Claire Ann Rice Kuchera of Stuart FL with her children Mikala Ann, Kelsa Ross and Caden Decker Kuchera; Leonard Jr's. son Matthew Leonard Morseman; brother-in-law and sister-in-law James and Loretta Ross of Avon NY; several nieces, nephews and cousins. Leonard was a decorated U.S. Army veteran of WW II having served in the Asiatic-Pacific Theatre. He had been a self-employed contractor, building his own home in Pine City NY, and was the owner of Rice's Floor Center on Elmira's Southside. Leonard had a great love for life and the outdoors. He was an avid golfer, tennis player, fisherman, hunter, gardener, bicyclist, swimmer and diver. Leonard was a master carpenter, artist and inventor. As a young boy he was often seen riding around Elmira with a homemade icebox mounted on his bicycle selling ice cream bars. As a teenager he built his own boat, a scuba diving suit, an ice airboat, snow skies and skateboards. He and his wife enjoyed dancing and were often seen at area festivals. Retiring at the age of 55 Leonard and Helen traveled extensively around the United States and throughout the world including Europe, China and Egypt. They wintered in Florida and returned to Elmira in the warmer months. Leonard belonged to several organizations including the VFW, Eagles, Moose and Sons of Italy. He spoke fluent Italian, a language he learned as a child from his grandmother Anna Morrow. Family and friends are invited to a Mass of Christian Burial on Saturday, July 11, 2015 at 10:00 a.m., St. Mary's Church, Elmira. Committal prayers and interment, with military honors, will take place at Pleasant Valley Cemetery in Hammondsport NY. Donations in Leonard's memory may be directed to St. Jude Place, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis TN 38105.