HAMPDEN – Steven James Leighton, 48, passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family, July 18, 2004, at his home in Hampden, after a long and courageous battle with brain cancer. He was born May 8, 1956, in Bangor, the son of James and Barbara (Gilbert) Leighton. Steve was a licensed master plumber and had worked for AC Electric in Bangor, before going to work with his father-in-law at Spencer Plumbing of Bangor. Steven was trained by, and later purchased the business from Irving Spencer. He moved the company to Hampden, where he had made his home for the past 25 years. Steve loved to hunt, fish, ride his snowmobile and he especially enjoyed playing poker with the “Boy’s.” He was a past officer and member of United Bikers of Maine and had been involved with the Toy Run for Kids. Steven leaves a legacy of being a gentle spirit who was fun loving, hard working and a devoted and loving son, husband, father, brother and friend to many. He is survived by his beloved wife of 27 years, Lynn (Spencer) Leighton of Hampden; two sons, Jason Michael Leighton of Langley Air Force Base, Va., and Christopher Albert Leighton of Hampden; his mother, Barbara Malley and step-father, Lloyd Malley; his father, James Leighton and his step-mother, Patricia Leighton, all of Bangor; maternal grandmother, Helen Gilbert of Orono; brothers, Howie Leighton, Jamie Leighton, John Clark, Bill Clark, Jim Clark and Mike Malley; sisters, Becky Craig, Margaret Martin and Jodi Malley. Steve was much loved by his mother and father-in-law, Irving and Sondra Spencer of Bangor; and sisters-in-law, Gayle Spencer and Dawn Maher; nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins. He was predeceased by his maternal grandfather, Albert Gilbert; and paternal grandparents, Eugene and Vanonia Leighton. Visiting hours will be held 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, at the Hampden-Gilpatrick Funeral Home, 45 Western Ave., Hampden. A funeral service will be held 11 a.m. Wednesday, at the East Orrington Congregational Church, 38 Johnson Mill Road, Orrington. A time of fellowship and refreshments will follow the service in the fellowship hall of the church. A committal service will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday at Mt. Hope Cemetery, Bangor. Those attending the committal are asked to meet at the Superintendents Lodge, 1038 State St., Bangor, at 1:45 p.m. For those wishing to remember Steve, memorial gifts may be made to the Leighton Family Fund, care of Maine Savings Federal Credit Union, P.O. Box 347, Hampden, ME 04444-0347. For those unable to attend, condolences may be expressed through www.hampdengilpatrick.com.
STEVEN J. LEIGHTON
