Leonard Dow Cool

OSWEGO –  January 17, 2026, Leonard Dow Cool, 84, of Oswego, NY and Orlando FL, passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, January 17th, 2026, at University Hospital in Syracuse, NY with loving family by his side.

Raised on a dairy farm in Adams, NY, Leonard developed a strong work ethic and lifelong values. A gifted student and athlete, he attended the United States Naval Academy and was honorably discharged due to a health condition, later being recognized as a disabled veteran. In the years that followed, he devoted himself to education, earning a bachelor’s degree in history and a master’s degree in education, both from SUNY Cortland and later a degree in Library Studies from Syracuse University. In the years that followed, he met and married the love of his life, Marianne, and together they shared 53 beautiful years. A devoted lifelong fan of the New York Yankees and Syracuse Basketball, Leonard was also an avid golfer and member of Griffin’s Greens, where he achieved every golfer’s dream, a hole-in-one on the eighth hole. Most Saturday nights were spent singing along to The Lawrence Welk Show. He also enjoyed playing his trumpet, gathering with friends for his favorite card game, Bridge, and showing off his wordsmith skills in Scrabble,  but on most days, you would find him quietly working through his puzzle books and reading the newspaper. Throughout his life, he was deeply committed to giving back, locally delivering the news to neighbors along his Oswego paper route and nationally supporting numerous charitable causes. His kindness and generosity were unmatched.

He will be deeply missed by his family, friends and all those whose lives he touched through his teaching and compassion.

Leonard leaves behind two children, Don and Matthew Cool of Austin, TX from his first marriage and three stepchildren, Mark (Patricia) Caster of Vero beach, FL, AnnMarie (JD) Caster of Flat Rock, AL and Greg (Lorraine) Caster of Oswego, NY, his brother Jerry Cool of NC; his 10 grandchildren and several great grandchildren, a niece and nephews.

Leonard is pre-deceased by his parents Margaret (Bowman) and Donald Cool, his brother Clifford Cool and his loving wife Marianne.

There will be no calling hours for Leonard. A joint funeral service and burial for Marianne and Leonard will be held at the convenience of the family.

There will be no Calling Hours.

Sugar & Scanlon Funeral Home, 147 W. 4th St., Oswego, NY has care of the arrangements.

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