Leonidas Alfonso Harley

Leonidas Alfonso Harley, fondly known as Fonso/Gabs, was born on July 23, 1943, in Springfield, St. Catherine, Jamaica, West Indies to Cassandra Lovie (nee Edwards) Harley and Norman Willesley Harley. He married his loving wife Sharon Harley on August 23, 1997, and became a national citizen of the United States in the early 1990’s. He graduated from Maiden Hall SDB Secondary School on or about October of 1965. He had a career as a chemist and manager at Razac Products Company for over 30 years. Fonso passed away surrounded by his loving family on February 1, 2023, in Newark, New Jersey.

Every person who has been blessed by Fonso’s presence undoubtedly knows the impact he had on people’s lives. He bestowed a peaceful energy that attracted genuine happiness and pure love. He held many honorable titles such as husband, brother, father, granddad, uncle, cousin, and upheld each title with grace. Everyone that knows him, knows him to be courageous, intelligent, and an avid learner of all things life has to offer. His curiosity and quest for knowledge led him to become the best chef, auto mechanic, pianist, harmonicist, bongo player, chemist, plumber, gardener, tailor, builder, and many more. Fonso will always be remembered for his gentle spirit, contagious smile, warm soul, and will forever leave a loving imprint in all of our hearts.

Fonso is survived by his wife of 26 years, Sharon Harley, along with his children, daughter Monique Harley, of Margate, FL; son Damian Harley and his wife Patrice Harley and their two sons – Preston and Draven – all of South Brunswick, NJ; daughter Simona Harley and her daughter – Sanai Taylor – of Plainfield, NJ; and daughter Sherylee Harley, of Irvington, NJ, two brothers Navel Wellesley Harley, Norman Willesley Harley; and many loving nieces, nephews, cousins, relatives, and friends.

Please join us in celebrating his life: The wake will be held on Thursday, February 23, 2023, between 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Union Funeral Home, 1600 Stuyvesant Avenue, Union NJ07083. Then on Friday, February 24, 2023, the final viewing will be held at 10:00 a.m., followed by the church service at 11:00 a.m. at First Baptist Church of Lincoln Gardens, 771 Somerset Street, Somerset, N.J. 08873. A small cemetery service will follow at HOLLYWOOD CEMETERY, 1621 Stuyvesant Ave, Union, NJ 07083. The repast will be held at First Baptist Church of Lincoln Gardens.

Psalm 34:18

The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed.