He was always Rick to me. I did ask his mum once why, as a little boy and having been called Leon for the first few years of his life, her and his dad began to call him Rick or Ricky. I'd assumed it was from his middle name of Richard, but she looked surprised and said oh no....it was he because he was the spitting image of the little blond boy called Ricky that featured in a children's programme at the time called "Circus Boy"! He was a very clever man and a very deep thinker. Sometimes he worried a bit too much about certain things. I'm not sure if he ever found out if we have free will or not. He got a place at a university after getting good results at school but wasn't really confident to take up the place, opting instead to go to work as an analytical chemist in the chocolate factory where he did a day release course at the City College to study to degree level in science. He did tell me once that he had really wanted to be a social worker though... We had two lovely daughters who he absolutely loved to bits, and in turn two lovely grandchildren. He loved so many activities and days out with them. In fact he enjoyed any involvement with children be it running a youth club, helping at a children's home or in schools. Or just getting involved, believing that children were infinitely more sensible than many adults could ever be. He once told me he wanted to live until he was 104. I'm not sure why 104 specifically, but how absolutely cruel to be taken at only 73. R.I.P. Rick/Leon

The most loveliest and kindhearted person in the world. The best grandad i will ever have, i will never forget the endless games of hide and seek and eating a whole loaf of bread while making toast on the camping stove. Love always, Millie <3

Leon used to visit the gallery quite often, to say hello and when he wanted to paint Cromer. We loved his visits, he was a kind and interesting man with a wonderful smile! His work is much loved by customers for its joyful representation of people and landscapes, he could catch the very essence of what was there in front of him and his paintings really made people happy. With love and many fond memories from Polly, Melissa and Catherine.

I will always remember Leon for the toffee crisps and rolos he used to give us all and his bike riding to his many places on the coast to do painting and awith and he will live on through those paintings and I thank him for the time he was with Donna and Caroline always rememberd how many espressos he used to knock back and wondered how he managed to keep his feet on the ground definetly one of a kind. In our thoughts xx

I remember Leon sketching pictures at Helen’s wedding. It was a lovely thing to do xxxx

We were pondering where and when we first met Leon and came to the conclusion it was at an OT department ceilidh at the old hospital site in St Stephens. Whether he danced or not we don’t remember, but he did have a lot of interest to say and he enjoyed the spread!! You will be remembered Leon, Len&Karen

I didn’t know Leon that well but I remember him as a very talented artist and loved the time when we all met up and he did a little sketch of us. Leon struck me as a very sensitive, thoughtful and gentle man. A man that it was a privilege to know

I remember one evening being round their house and struggling to stay awake. Leon made me a double espresso which was lovely. I don't know what was in it, not only did it wake me up but it left my head buzzing for the next two days. 🐝🐝🐝

There once was an artist called Leon We'd go to Cromer hoping to see em His breathtaking art Has left a real mark And should end up in a museum.

Rick was a talented person both at work and play - as chemist and artist. He was thoughtful, knowledgeable, well-liked and respected - a true gentle-man. He had hidden depths, as I much appreciated when, on leaving work, he gave me a hand-written note together with 3 pages of philosophical quotations he had collected over the years. Reading them again is a reminder of Rick's kindness. If anyone is interested I could scan/email or copy/post them. Roger 01508499631

I always enjoyed your 'me n him at wherever ' posts. You often went places I love to go too xx

Dear Rick (Leon) have always remembered our camping trips, swimming jaunts, ginger beer and electric shock machine (to mention but a few!) with great fondness. At rest now and an extra star shining brightly in the sky. Mandy x

Nice guy, happy painter and lovely husband to Donna, will be missed by many. Christine x

I never had the privilege of meeting Leon but the joy he brought to so many people will live on through his wonderful paintings. At peace now Leon x

We had some lovely days meeting in Cromer and watching Leon painting then off for lunch, we will miss him xx Roger and maree xx

Leon The painter who loved dark and light A man who pondered wrong and right A friend who made us laugh and think An echo in each coffee we’ll drink A poet rhyming words and thought A mentor of life’s lessons taught Peddling through days short and long We’ll miss his wit and choice of song 😊

Thank you for setting up this memorial to Leon. We hope that you find it a positive experience developing the site and that it becomes a place of comfort and inspiration for you to visit whenever you want or need to.

I am I and you are you, whatever we were to each other that we still are. Speak to me in the easy way which you always used. Why should I be out of mind because I am out of sight? Life means all that it ever meant, it is the same as it ever was.