Leonard Mischley Memorial Service Information

Leonard Mischley, 59, passed away at home on April 21, 2008. Born on March 3, 1949 to Victor and Betty (Labarge) Mischley of Alpena, Michigan, Leonard had made his home in San Diego for over 30 years. Leonard dedicated his life to advocating for people with mental illnesses and was a tireless advocate. His special passion was finding services for the homeless mentally ill. He would spend several evenings a week at the First Lutheran Church, where they provided dinner to the homeless in downtown San Diego and then help at their clinic.

Leonard was instrumental in implementing forums between the San Diego Police Department and the mental health community after several incidents that resulted in the shooting deaths of mental health clients in crisis. These forums led to an ongoing collaboration between law enforcement and mental health, resulting in significant changes in law enforcement attitude and procedures in dealing with the mentally ill. In May of 2003, Leonard was honored in Sacramento by the California Coalition for Mental Health for this work.

Leonard was instrumental in founding the Client Appreciation Luncheon, held each year at the War Memorial Building in Balboa Park. He helped plan and coordinate the luncheon, solicited donations to cover the cost of the food, and obtained door prizes so that no one went home empty-handed.

He was employed by the Consumer Center for Health Education and Advocacy, a project of the Legal Aid Society of San Diego, Inc., from its inception in 1999, where he devoted eight years to educating clients and bringing their issues to the forefront. He recently joined the Partners in Care Client Liaison Team as a consumer representative, where he continued his advocacy.

He was an ever-present member of San Diego’s mental health community, never afraid to advocate for services, always ready to challenge what he believed was unjust, and always willing to ask individuals and organizations to “write a check” when financial help was needed to serve mental health clients.

Though he frequently struggled with his own physical and mental health issues, Leonard could be found each month at the Mental Health Board meeting or a Board of Supervisors meeting, speaking out on the latest issues. He had the kindest heart and the best of intentions at all times. He was generous to a fault and a friend to all who knew him. Those of us fortunate enough to have known Leonard and to have had our lives touched by him will always remember him as a loving soul who overcame so very many obstacles to live a life of helping others through his advocacy on behalf of mental health consumers.

Leonard is survived by his sister Mary Ann and husband Dan Donakowski, sister Deborah Sherwood, sister Barbara and husband Dennis Skaluba, and brothers Doug Mischley, Greg and wife Marilynn Mischley, as well as by four nieces, four nephews, five great-nephews and two great-nieces.

In acknowledgment of Leonard’s passion for the homeless and In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Third Avenue Charitable Organization, 1420 Third Avenue, San Diego, CA 92101. A scholarship fund for clients is being established by the San Diego Coalition for Mental Health and donations to this fund may be sent to NAMI San Diego, 4480 30th Street, San Diego, CA 92116.