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SUNY Canton's Centennial Man Turns 100

SUNY Canton President Joseph L. Kennedy, Vice President of Advancement David M. Gerlach, and Director of Public Relations Randy Sieminski were among several college officials to travel to Dexter, NY on Wednesday to celebrate Ray Leonard's 100th birthday. Ray graduated in 1928 and shares the college's birth year of 1906. Below is an article that ran in a St. Lawrence County newspapers publication about Ray's life. Pictured above are Randy Sieminski, Dr. Kennedy, Julia Rose, Director of Development, Ray Leonard, Julie Parkman, Asssitant Director of Development and David Gerlach.

Shortly after his graduation from SUNY Canton, Ray Leonard recalls looking out the window from his father-in-law's dinner table as a circle of flames erupted around the barn. It was during prohibition and just three days earlier they had allowed FBI agents to climb into the hay mow to get a bird's eye view of the alcohol being smuggled across the St. Lawrence River.

Leonard seems to recall all the details as if it happened just last week. As a matter of fact, the 1928 graduate seems to remember events from 70, 80, even 90 years ago better than most people remember 2005. With incredible accuracy to detail, Leonard can recall people, places, times, and dates as if his freshman year was just winding down.

Amazingly, SUNY Canton's oldest known alumni will be turning 100 this year, just like his alma mater. He'll be celebrating his own personal centennial on July 12.

"I owe so much of what I've accomplished to SUNY Canton," Leonard says with a smile. "The lessons I learned there have lasted a lifetime. Learning how to work with people and getting along with the public were the biggest benefits, even more than the classroom learning. Before college, I didn't know how to do that."

The Natural Bridge native says he was remarkably shy prior to his three years at SUNY Canton, then known as the State School of Agriculture (SOA). But his shyness didn't last long.

"My father drove me to Canton in our Model T," states Leonard. "Director Van Whittemore greeted us personally, introduced me to some students, and helped set me up with housing. I enrolled as a dairy student and started in classes the next morning."

Crippled at eight-years-old with polio, Leonard arrived at college with a limp. He recalls that a fraternity brother of Zeta Alpha Phi (ZAP) gave up the lower bed of a three-tiered bunk so that Leonard wouldn't have to climb to the top. "They made me feel so at home right away," he said.

Leonard eventually pledged and became a ZAP brother.

Upon learning that Leonard was a member of the Natural Bridge Grange, Whittemore insisted that Leonard accompany him to all Grange meetings throughout St. Lawrence County. Granges were prominent social organizations promoting agriculture throughout rural communities.

In an effort to help Leonard overcome his shyness, Whittemore insisted that the freshman give a speech at every Grange meeting they attended. While initially horrified at the thought, Leonard eventually became an eloquent orator and later finished in second place in the college's prestigious Dr. James M. Payson Public Speaking Contest.

College jobs and their hourly rates have changed considerably since Leonard's years in Canton. He recalls working at the college's poultry barn for $0.25 cents an hour from 4 to 8 p.m. each day. He was also paid ten cents for every bushel of potatoes he picked during his third year of school.

Leonard says the ZAP house had a strict set of rules. Alcohol was forbidden due to the prohibition, and there was also a $1 fine if your bed was not made by 1 p.m. He remained busy and was the manager of several sports teams, including the women's basketball team. Those duties also helped him to combat his shyness.

He particularly credits Whittemore and Dr. James Payson for their assistance, and he recalls the first day Dr. Payson called him into his office and said, "Ray, I want to help you whenever I can. Whether it's something pertaining to your studies, school, or community, we want you to be one of us."

Leonard went on to take several classes from Dr. Payson. More than 70 years later, Leonard still speaks fondly of his mentor, "He did wonders for me. No one could ever do for me, educate me, as much as Dr. Payson."

He also holds English Professor Lottie Southworth in high regard. Leonard says she was very strict, yet he still refers to her as "Aunt Lottie."

Leonard was married on his twenty-fifth birthday in 1931 to a school teacher in nearby Pillar Point. He and his wife Marian gave birth to their only child, Eleanor, in 1935. That same year, Leonard nearly lost his life in a horrible accident when a van carrying the St. Lawrence University wrestling team ran a red light and broadsided his car. Leonard suffered a broken back after being thrown 35 feet.

Over the years he has demonstrated remarkable resiliency. He eventually recovered from his broken back and returned to work just seven months later.

They never arrested anyone for the burning of his father-in-law's barn, although he still suspects the alcohol smugglers exacted retribution for allowing FBI agents to view their operations. Leonard survived a few tough years surrounding the Great Depression, working various jobs like cutting wood for $1 a day and serving as a clerk for Montgomery Ward's for $0.39 per hour. He also tested milk for various farms throughout Northern New York for several years.

In 1940 after passing the civil service exam, Leonard became the Postmaster General for the town of Dexter, earning $1,800 as his first year salary. He held the position for almost 30 years until retiring in 1969.

Leonard currently lives in Dexter with his daughter Eleanor. He was honored as Dexter's Citizen of the Year in 1989 at the age of 83. His wife passed away in 1995 at the age of 93. Eleanor is now 71. Leonard also recently received state and national recognition for his 85 years of service to the National Grange.

This past fall following a stroke, a heart attack, and a bout with pneumonia, Leonard was told by four doctors that he had just four days to live. His body was also covered with shingles and his weight plummeted from 169 to 118 pounds.

Yet he somehow he managed to persevere. And as he approaches his one-hundredth birthday, Leonard shows very few signs of his health problems from last fall and has regained much of his weight back.

SUNY Canton salutes its Centennial Man. He is truly one of the most remarkable alumni in the history of the college. Just three years ago at the age of 97, Leonard drove his car from Dexter to Canton for alumni reunion. This year SUNY Canton and Ray Leonard celebrate their 100th birthdays together.

July 12, 2006

Media inquiries should be directed to Greg Kie, Media Relations Coordinator, or call 315/386-7527.

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