Obituary of J. Leonard Bailey

J. Leonard Bailey passed away on February 9, 2026, in his home with his family by his side, following a brief illness. He was 86 years old.

Born in Bound Brook, NJ, to parents Edward A. and Evelyn (Hill) Bailey, Lenny graduated from Bernards High School in 1958 and graduated from American Academy McAllister Institute of Funeral Service in 1960. He proudly served his country in the Marine Corps.

Lenny was a parishioner of Hilltop Presbyterian Church in Mendham, where he served as an Elder and as a Deacon. He was a member of the Colonial Prospect Lodge No. 24 of Free and Accepted Masons and a member of the Mendham Pastime Club. He also participated in numerous groups relating to funeral service, including the National Funeral Directors Association, the New Jersey State Funeral Directors Association, and the Morris County Funeral Directors Association. He assisted his father in the family business for many years before becoming the owner of the Bailey Funeral Home in 1973. He was instrumental in providing peace, comfort, and impeccable service to the Mendham and Peapack-Gladstone communities and beyond for 44 years. Lenny always had a smile and joke at the ready and was a friend to all who knew him. He was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed running, cycling, and fishing among many other sporting activities.

He is predeceased by his children, Deborah, Sharon and Brian, sister Elizabeth Guzenski, cousin Christopher Wood, and great grandson Everett Culhane.

Lenny is survived by his loving wife, Brigid (Kearney) Bailey, devoted daughter Katherine A. Bailey, sister Rosalind Walker, grandchildren Matthew Bailey and Nicole Bailey Culhane, Adam, Cain and Donald Skelton, Blair Nicole Martin, and seven great grandchildren.

Visitation will be held on Friday, February 13, from 3 PM to 7 PM at the Bailey Funeral Home, 8 Hilltop Road, Mendham. A funeral service will be held on Saturday, February 14, at 11 AM in the funeral home, 8 Hilltop Road, Mendham. In lieu of flowers, donations in Lenny’s memory may be made to the Goryeb Children’s Hospital.