Obituary for Craig Steven Leno
GRAND ISLE, VT/AKWESASNE, NY -- Craig Steven Leno, 72, of Pond Road passed away peacefully on September 1, 2021, after a long brave fight against cancer, with his beloved wife, Retha by his side.
Craig was born in Colchester, Vermont, the son of the late Reta M. (Shepard) Leno and Walter G. Leno, Sr., on September 20, 1948.
Craig graduated from So. Burlington High School in 1969. He was a mechanic and avid motorcyclist throughout his life and utilized his talents with his work at Roadside Marine in Williston, VT for many years. He also was an accomplished guitarist and played with several local Vermont bands over the past five decades. He and his band mates/friends weaved their vocal and instrumental talents in performances with the bands “Fort Ethan Allen”, “Campo Roads”, “New Cross Country”, and “The Twangcasters”. Craig was also part of a local favorite trio, “Leno Cheney & Young”, where their beloved 3-part harmony sound was enjoyed and praised by their broad fan base. He favored a well-crafted guitar and carried with him a gift for playing the 12-string acoustic (Ovation & Godin). Craig also loved performing with his home crafted Fender Telecaster that he designed to play the perfect “twang”.
Craig leaves his wife, Retha M. Leno of Akwesasne, NY and Grand Isle, VT; a son, Zane Hawk Leno (Brittany) of New Haven, VT; a brother, Bradley Leno (Virginia Giroux) of Champlain, NY; a chosen sister, Lisa Seaman Wright (Chris) of Barre, VT; and a chosen brother, John Seaman of Moretown, VT. He leaves two stepdaughters, Erin Herne-Dalia (John) of Patchogue, NY; and Lacey Jae Herne (Lanny Lazare) of Kahnawake, Que; and a stepson, Dylan Herne (Keena-Marie) of Winthrop, NY. He also leaves a beloved mother-in-law, Sarah A. Benedict, sisters-in-law, Lillian Benedict Barton (Craig), and Myra Benedict Lafrance (David Murray) of Akwesasne, NY. He also leaves brothers-in-law Michael A. Benedict (Kim Akiwenzie) of Shakopee, MN; Leslie K. Benedict (Marie); and Conrad D. Benedict (Jill) both of Akwesasne, NY. Craig also leaves one aunt, Lila M. (Shepard) Francis of So. Burlington, VT, and many cousins, nieces and nephews.
Craig had two cherished grandchildren, Orin Michael Leno (age 11 mo.) and Doris Islay Herne (age 4).
Craig Leno was predeceased by his mother (1996), his father (2005), and a brother, Walter “Hawk” Leno, Jr. (1988), and a beloved cousin and band mate, Gary “Wink” Francis, Sr. (Lori) of Milford, NH (2018).
He leaves “Joey”, his four-legged buddy to the end.
We thank the UVM Home Health and Hospice for their kind and expert guidance, Craig and Retha’s family and close friends for their unending support and love at this difficult time.
A memorial service to honor the life of Craig Steven Leno will be held at 4 Pond Road, Grand Isle, VT on Monday, September 6, 2021, at 12:00 noon.
A private inurnment will be at the convenience of the family at a later date.
Craig was born in Colchester, Vermont, the son of the late Reta M. (Shepard) Leno and Walter G. Leno, Sr., on September 20, 1948.
Craig graduated from So. Burlington High School in 1969. He was a mechanic and avid motorcyclist throughout his life and utilized his talents with his work at Roadside Marine in Williston, VT for many years. He also was an accomplished guitarist and played with several local Vermont bands over the past five decades. He and his band mates/friends weaved their vocal and instrumental talents in performances with the bands “Fort Ethan Allen”, “Campo Roads”, “New Cross Country”, and “The Twangcasters”. Craig was also part of a local favorite trio, “Leno Cheney & Young”, where their beloved 3-part harmony sound was enjoyed and praised by their broad fan base. He favored a well-crafted guitar and carried with him a gift for playing the 12-string acoustic (Ovation & Godin). Craig also loved performing with his home crafted Fender Telecaster that he designed to play the perfect “twang”.
Craig leaves his wife, Retha M. Leno of Akwesasne, NY and Grand Isle, VT; a son, Zane Hawk Leno (Brittany) of New Haven, VT; a brother, Bradley Leno (Virginia Giroux) of Champlain, NY; a chosen sister, Lisa Seaman Wright (Chris) of Barre, VT; and a chosen brother, John Seaman of Moretown, VT. He leaves two stepdaughters, Erin Herne-Dalia (John) of Patchogue, NY; and Lacey Jae Herne (Lanny Lazare) of Kahnawake, Que; and a stepson, Dylan Herne (Keena-Marie) of Winthrop, NY. He also leaves a beloved mother-in-law, Sarah A. Benedict, sisters-in-law, Lillian Benedict Barton (Craig), and Myra Benedict Lafrance (David Murray) of Akwesasne, NY. He also leaves brothers-in-law Michael A. Benedict (Kim Akiwenzie) of Shakopee, MN; Leslie K. Benedict (Marie); and Conrad D. Benedict (Jill) both of Akwesasne, NY. Craig also leaves one aunt, Lila M. (Shepard) Francis of So. Burlington, VT, and many cousins, nieces and nephews.
Craig had two cherished grandchildren, Orin Michael Leno (age 11 mo.) and Doris Islay Herne (age 4).
Craig Leno was predeceased by his mother (1996), his father (2005), and a brother, Walter “Hawk” Leno, Jr. (1988), and a beloved cousin and band mate, Gary “Wink” Francis, Sr. (Lori) of Milford, NH (2018).
He leaves “Joey”, his four-legged buddy to the end.
We thank the UVM Home Health and Hospice for their kind and expert guidance, Craig and Retha’s family and close friends for their unending support and love at this difficult time.
A memorial service to honor the life of Craig Steven Leno will be held at 4 Pond Road, Grand Isle, VT on Monday, September 6, 2021, at 12:00 noon.
A private inurnment will be at the convenience of the family at a later date.