Tribute Maury Leone’s Memory at Harvey

“That’s who he was. A gentle man and a gentleman. And it was really a gift.” —

Donna Leone, Wife of Maury Leone

Married to his wife, Mrs. Donna Leone, in June ‘81, Mr. Maury Leone was a Trustee Emeritus at The Harvey School and a beloved friend to many. As vicechair of the board and chair of the Head of School Search Committee, Mr. Leone was not only a cherished member of Harvey, but also a highly esteemed executive at Merrill Lynch, the American investment and management division of Bank of America. The Pulse had the privilege of speaking with Donna Leone to learn about Mr. Leone’s life, which was filled with loving moments and meaningful connections.

Mr. Leone was born and raised in Astoria, Queens. His father was from a suburb of Bari, Italy, and spoke little to no English upon his arrival to the United States. He found work as an Italian immigrant until he could bring his beloved mother, brother, and two sisters to join him in the Bronx.

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Mr. Leone went to Manhattan College and started his work for Merrill Lynch, which he pursued until the time he graduated and became a full-time employee. When Mrs. Leone met Mr. Leone, he was working at an office in Brooklyn. She told The Pulse that the whole family was thrilled with his career, stating, “It made his father so proud that his son became a vice president of the company, had all these accolades, and worked for chairs of the firm. It just brought him so much joy that his son was this respected executive at Merrill Lynch.”

When Mr. Leone passed, his memory was seen in the same light. Mrs. Leone would frequently hear stories about the work Mr. Leone did: “We were together for 40 years, and I knew most of his contacts at Merrill Lynch, the people that worked for him, and the people he worked for,” she said. “I couldn’t believe the letters from people that said ‘you may not have known this,’ and they would go into a story about how he touched their life.”

Not only was Mr. Leone deeply involved in his professional life, but he also made sure to actively participate in the lives of his children, Michael (’04) and Alessandra (’08), who were students at Harvey. His legacy continues through the work of his son, Michael, who serves as one of the coaches of the Harvey boys

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rugby team. Michael Leone told The Pulse, “My dad would be very proud of what my mother, my sister, and I have done.”

As a dedicated Harvey parent, Mr. Leone was particularly engaged in supporting his children’s involvement in sports. Whether it was attending games, cheering from the sidelines, or volunteering his time, he was a familiar face at Harvey’s athletic events. His passion for his children’s pursuits extended beyond the field as he consistently encouraged them to pursue their dreams and excel academically.

In the wake of Mr. Maury Leone’s passing, his legacy radiates with an unwavering brilliance as Mrs. Leone became a witness to the countless anecdotes recounting the profound impact of her late husband’s endeavors. With a tenure of 40 years at Merrill Lynch, Mr. Leone’s formidable presence resonated among his colleagues and superiors as his nurturing touch left an indelible mark on their lives.

Mr. Leone was a personal and professional mentor to many. When he retired from Merrill Lynch, he formed an executive coaching company to help other professionals reach greater heights in their own careers. Mrs. Leone told The Pulse that he would often say, “I’m not going to charge for this one,” and he went above and beyond for those around him.

Mrs. Leone continued, “That’s who he was. A gentle man and a gentleman. He was a mentor and a person who stepped up and offered his services, no strings attached … if he touched one person, that was one life that could be changed forever.”

Mrs. Leone also said, “When he passed, there was an outpouring of sentiment … Bill Knauer, along with many others, said even in the most difficult situations, Maury could deliver very difficult news. Even if he was devastated, he did it with such grace and kindness that people stayed in touch with him, and he always found a way to turn a crisis into an opportunity. And that was really a gift.”

The Pulse was fortunate enough to learn more about Mr. Maury Leone from Mr. Knauer and Mr. Lazzaro, as well. Mr. Knauer stated, “Maury was a kind, truly good man, full of warmth and generosity of spirit, and he is still missed in the Harvey community.”

Similarly, Mr. Lazzaro said, “Maury was an extraordinary member of our Harvey community who left a lasting impact due to his kindness, generosity, and spirit. As a parent, Maury wanted the best for his children and the school. As a trustee, he was thoughtful, and his intelligence was present in many critical decisions. He is missed dearly in our community.”

Mr. Leone’s dedication to Harvey extended to his philanthropic endeavors. Recognizing the importance of education and the transformative power it holds, the Leone family established a Harvey scholarship fund in Mr. Leone’s name. The scholarship not only honors Mr. Leone’s memory, but it also embodies his spirit of kindness, generosity, and commitment to the betterment of others.

Mrs. Leone told The Pulse about the genesis of the scholarship, stating, “Shortly after he passed, we were talking about how our family could harness our grief and make it something that honors someone you love so much but also encompasses your life work. I truly felt we ought to honor Maury in a way that every parent wants their child to become, not only in the education you receive, but also the educators you encounter. One of the first scholarship recipients has already proven to be incredibly successful at Harvey. She wrote us a beautiful letter and really embodies what Harvey’s mission is. To see what she’s done in this short period of time is astonishing.”

The memory of Maury Leone continues to shine brightly at Harvey as his selflessness, compassion, and unwavering dedication to his family, community, and the pursuit of excellence are remembered by all who had the privilege of knowing him. His remarkable ability to touch lives and make a difference, both professionally and personally, serves as an enduring reminder of the profound impact one individual can have on the people around him.

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