Leon Edward Bardin

Loved Hunting, Country Music, Aviation, And Motorcycles

Leon Edward Bardin, 71, of Spruce Mountain Trail, Danbury, died November 22 at his home following a long, courageous battle with cancer. A beloved husband of 50 years to Dorothy (Kinner) Bardin, he was born on August 21, 1934, to Elsie C. Bardin, of North Hebron, N.Y. and the late Gordon A. Bardin.

Beside his wife and mother, he is survived by a sister, Carolyn Hitt of Sandy Hook; a brother, Robert H. Bardin, and wife, Lorraine, of North Hebron, N.Y.; a son, John Bardin, and wife, Teri (Gerlach), of Danbury; a daughter, Jennifer Badaracco, and husband, Joseph, of Boonville, N.Y.; five grandchildren, Cassandra Bardin of Florida, Joslyn Bardin, John G. Bardin and wife, Heather, and Jacob Bardin of Danbury, and Ashley Miskar of Boonville, N.Y.; a step-grandson, Chance Bruemmer of Danbury; four great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews; and his companion to the end, his faithful dog, Bandit. He was preceded in death by a brother-in-law, Richard Hitt.

He grew up at the Bardin home in North Hebron, N.Y., and graduated from Granville High School in 1953. Mr Bardin spent his summers working at the Goodman Farm in Fort Anne, N.Y. After graduating, he continued to work at the farm full-time until he joined his father in the building trade in the New York/Vermont area. In 1957, Mr Bardin relocated to Norwalk and started working with SWS Construction Company as a construction foreman, before moving to Ridgefield and then Danbury in 1968.

Mr Bardin loved to hunt, and guns of all types were his hobby. He belonged to several gun clubs and became president of the Double SA Pistol Club of Ridgefield. He was also a member of the National Rifle Association. He hunted everywhere from British Columbia to Nova Scotia.

His other great interest was country music. He became a noted guitar player in the southern Connecticut area. He played lead guitar with the Tiffany Five and Miki Dance Band.

He always had a passion for aviation. As a teenager in Hebron during World War II, he was an aircraft spotter and reported the direction and speed of aircraft to a fighter base in Long Island, N.Y. His other great passion was traveling on his motorcycle, taking yearly trips to Americade in Lake George, N.Y.

Cremation will take place at the direction of the family.

Contributions in his memory may be made to Regional Hospice of Western Connecticut, 405 Main Street, Danbury CT 06810.

The Newtown Bee        December 2, 2005