Mon, Aug 4 at 1:10 AM

The next name on the Memorial List after Robert Stewart Jason, Jr., Amherst College Class of 1959, is Leon Joseph DuBois, Amherst College Class of 1960. For me, the story of Leon Joseph DuBois is actually one of the more intriguing stories so far. Leon came to Amherst from the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York. Although a talented musician, he majored in biology. Nevertheless, his gifts were musical, and he displayed them by joining the Glee Club, the Chapel Choir and the Concert Choir. After graduation, he matriculated at Princeton University where he earned a Master of Fine Arts. For most of his classmates, Leon Du Bois tended to disappear after his Princeton days. This is how one of his best Amherst friends came to view Leon.

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Deceased February 22, 2023

in memory

Leon arrived at Amherst from his home in Rochester, N.Y. While in public high school, he had been a student at the Eastman School of Music, studying both the violin and the piano. He continued his musical interests at Amherst and was president of the Glee Club in his senior year. He and I played piano duets in the basement of James during our freshman year and became fast friends. In the late ’50s, Amherst had only a few Black students (perhaps seven), but that was never an issue. Phi Alpha Psi had almost all of them, so it was natural for Leon to join the fraternity. As a good friend, I followed him there.

After graduation, he enrolled in Princeton for a master’s degree in music. He moved from the piano to the organ and also became a composer of church music. Soon after graduation, he declared that he was gay and moved to the Bay Area. He avoided any contact with former friends. He then obtained a nursing degree and spent the remainder of his professional life as a nurse at the San Francisco Kaiser Permanente hospital.

My wife, Wendy, and I tracked him down along the Russian River at a home he shared with his longtime husband, Angelo Proserpi. He remained upbeat and cheerful. He preferred to leave his former life behind, and we never reestablished regular contact. Leon died on Feb. 22, 2023.

Michael Taylor ’60

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Leon Joseph Du Bois II, age 84, passed away on February 22, 2023, in Forestville, California. He is survived by his loving husband, Angelo Proserpi. Leon is predeceased by his parents, L. Ernest and Evelyn E. Du Bois; a brother, J. Ernest Du Bois, and a sister, Carolyn Du Bois Claytor. Leon is also survived by a sister and brother-in-law, Ann D. and Ivin L. Smith; a cousin, Leonore Dey, and a host of beloved nieces, nephews, and friends. Leon will be inurned at Pleasant Hills Memorial Park, Sebastopol, California.

Posted online on July 27, 2023

Published in Rochester Democrat and Chronicle

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However, a more thorough search of the records reveals a talent that Leon Du Bois developed after his Princeton days that made me smile. Below is an obituary which provides an insight into the life of Leon Du Bois which his classmates may have never known, but which you do now.

Peace,

Everett "Skip" Jenkins

Class of 1975

August 4, 2025

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Leon Dubois

Leon Joseph Dubois
25 Jan 1939 - 22 Feb 2023

In Their Own Words

Dear Lucy,

The happy news first. Angelo and I got married on December 27, 2022, after 35 years together. We waited until after Angelo retired so that I wouldn't have to deal with his business should anything have happened to him. We had a very small ceremony and were able to celebrate with Angelo's family in Sacramento over the New Year's weekend.

And now the bad news. Last Friday [Feb 10 or Feb 17, 2023] I was admitted to the hospital with highly elevated blood serum calcium. My prostate cancer has metastasized to my bones and I elected to stop treatment and come home with hospice. I wish to be made as comfortable as possible and let my body follow it's natural course. So far Angelo and I are coping well. Please send my love to my square dance family.

With love, Leon ^[1]

Obituary

Leon Joseph Du Bois
FORESTVILLE - Leon Joseph Du Bois II, age 84, passed away on February 22, 2023, in Forestville, California. He is survived by his loving husband, Angelo Proserpi. Leon is predeceased by his parents, L. Ernest and Evelyn E. Du Bois; a brother, J. Ernest Du Bois, and a sister, Carolyn Du Bois Claytor. Leon is also survived by a sister and brother-in-law, Ann D. and Ivin L. Smith; a cousin, Leonore Dey, and a host of beloved nieces, nephews, and friends. Leon will be inurned at Pleasant Hills Memorial Park, Sebastopol, California.^[2]

Remembrances

Leon was one of the sweetest men I ever met in square dance. I fondly remember member being invited to lunch at the lovely home he shared with Angelo Proserpi in Forestville (Sonoma County). So sorry to hear of his passing. SJB
— Susan Siegfried (aka Suzie Jo Bradley)

So sorry to hear of Leon's passing. He and I first met in 1980, dated several times, and remained friends afterwards via our love of opera and having the same SFO subscription night (Fridays). I eventually got him to check out square dancing; he first shows up in the 1984 WSD Directory, and later editions show him as having graduated in July 1984 (same class as James and Tom's, WSD's 5th one). I hadn't been in contact with him since Covid. A real loss to the square dance community.
— Russ King

Oh no. I was in contact with Leon and his partner, Angelo, for many years. This is so sad for me. Angelo, and his sister, and Leon made many trips to Haiti for many years to support the poor and especially after national disasters.
Ernest DeBois was Leon's Brother. Leon, Angelo, and Ernest were all a lovely family. My heart is really sad today to learn all of this.
— Freeman Stamper