Bolivar H. Leon, age 73, of Fayetteville, PA, passed away peacefully on Monday, August 10, 2026, at his home with his loving family by his side. Born March 17, 1953, in Philadelphia, PA, he was the son of the late Felix and Leonor Leon.
Bolivar was a native of Philadelphia and graduated from Benjamin Franklin High School in 1972, where he studied Industrial Arts. He attended Shippensburg University for one year before beginning his working career with the City of Philadelphia Department of Recreation. He later worked as an electrical apprentice with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers. In 1974, Bolivar returned to Shippensburg University, graduating in 1978 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology. While attending Shippensburg, he also worked in technical support at WSYC.
In January 1978, Bolivar and Gladys E. Hack were united in marriage. Together, they shared a life filled with love, family, service, and community. They were blessed with four children: Nicole, Benjamin, Jonathan, and Lauren, and three grandchildren: Joshua, Aiden, and A’Niyah.
In 1981, Bolivar began his career at Letterkenny Army Depot in Chambersburg, PA. In 1989, he became an Equal Employment Opportunity Specialist, working in the areas of affirmative employment, mediation, facilitator training, and EEO complaints. In 2009, he became an Equal Employment Opportunity Officer for Letterkenny Army Depot and served as the primary advisor to the Depot Commander. After 35½ years of government service, Bolivar retired in May 2017.
Bolivar was a devoted servant to his community and was involved in numerous organizations throughout his life. He was a member of St. James AME Church and a Past Master of Letort Star Lodge #18 of Carlisle, PA, under the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of Pennsylvania. He also served as Director of Education for the Fifth Masonic District.
His commitment to helping others extended throughout Franklin County and beyond. Bolivar served as a Cub Scout Master, a board member of BOPIC, a member of the Franklin County Hispanic Association, and a member of the Executive Board of the Chambersburg NAACP. He was a Past President of both the local and state chapters of IMAGE, a national Hispanic organization. He was also a member of the Chambersburg Jaycees, the Franklin County Fire Police Association, and the Fayetteville Fire Police, where he served for 21 years and attained the rank of Lieutenant.
Bolivar's dedication to education and service included serving as past chairman of Shippensburg University's Act 101 Board, a member of the President's Committee on Human Understanding, an advisory board member of the Multicultural Students Association, and a member of the General Alumni Association for Shippensburg University. He also served on the board of Habitat for Humanity and the Franklin County Office of Aging. As part of his professional and community service, he was a member of a consortium of mediators and facilitators for the U.S. Army Materiel Command.
Bolivar especially enjoyed giving back through youth athletics. He served as a football coach for several local Pee Wee football organizations, including the Fayetteville Browns, the former Scotland School for Veterans Children, and the Greencastle-Antrim School District.
Those who knew Bolivar will remember him for his generous spirit, dedication to others, and love of family and community. Outside of his many commitments, he enjoyed fishing, traveling, a good cup of coffee, and watching a good movie with popcorn.
Surviving is his beloved wife of 48 years, Gladys Leon, whom he married on January 7, 1978; four children, Nicole Leon of Darby, PA, Lauren Leon of Fayetteville, PA, Jonathan Leon of Scottsdale, AZ, and Benjamin Leon of Fayetteville, PA; three grandchildren, Joshua, Aiden, and A’Niyah Leon. His brother, Felix Leon, sister, Bernada Kowalski, brother, Franscico Gonazlez, Juan Gonazlez and sisters-in-law, Nancy Bailey, Rosa Marte and Christina Gonzalez along with a host of extended family members and dear friends. In addition to his parents, Felix and Lenor, he was preceded in death by numerous siblings; Miguel, Diongenes, Ada, Raquel, Olga and Victor.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, August 22, 2026, at 11:00 am at John Wesley A.M.E. Zion Church, where Rev. Renata Mosely-Harper will officiate. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service. Interment in Parklawn Memorial Gardens will be private.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Bolivar's memory to Habitat for Humanity, Chambersburg.
Arrangements are entrusted to the Thomas L. Geisel Funeral Home, Inc., Chambersburg, PA. Online condolences may be expressed on his obituary page at www.geiselfuneralhome.com.
