STEVEN J. ‘STEVE’ LEEMAN

SWANVILLE – Steven J. “Steve” Leeman, 39, most beloved husband and best friend of Cheryl J. Leeman, went to join Our Savior in Heaven May 16, 2006, after a long, courageous battle with a rare cancer. His wife of 20 years was by his side along with their two dogs and cats. Steve was born Feb. 10, 1967, in Waterville, to Jerome and Elizabeth “Betty” (Sullivan) Leeman. He grew up in Searsmont with his two brothers, Scott and Shawn; and two sisters, Shari and Stacy; a dog named Scruffy; and many cats. He graduated from Belfast Area High School in 1985, then continued on to graduate from tractor-trailer driving school. He pursued that career while staying close to home in Maine, which he dearly loved. He lived in Swanville overlooking Swan Lake for the past 16 years. He loved to design landscaping projects for the yard, and kept him and his wife busy implementing them. He often created landscaping to attract birds and dragonflies with sitting areas from which to observe them. Steve often said that all the hard yard work was a “labor of love.” Steve adored his two dogs, Sargeant the Dalmatian and Bud the Doberman. He was almost never seen without them riding in his truck. Bud was a Humane Society rescued puppy. Animals were drawn to him. His many cats over the years were rescued strays. One summer, four pregnant female cats showed up in the yard. There were 19 cats and kittens happily fed and loved and all were found homes that year. Driving to work in the very early hours of the day, he frequently found dogs that had gotten out of their pens. He’d search until he found the owner. Steve would stop to help a turtle cross the road. Steve was proudly politically incorrect before there even was a term for it. He always voted! He exercised a strong work ethic and believed in bettering one’s self. He was a conservative Republican patriot and a strong believer of an individual’s freedom and right to bear arms. He supported the Hiram Maxim Historical Society, the NRA, the Great Farm Rifle Range and our troops overseas. Steve loved to target shoot and hunt deer, moose, partridge, crow and turkey. He got an 850-pound Bull Moose with a 54 and one half-inch rack with his brother-in-law, Alfred Randall in 1992. It proudly hangs in his home. “Gun shop hopping” was a favorite day trip of theirs. Steve loved to cook. He made the best lasagna, stuffed shells and “heart attack” mashed potatoes. He savored his wife’s homemade rolls and cherry pie. He loved to grill dinner on the deck, even in the snow. Occasionally, he enjoyed a fine cigar while watching a movie on a warm evening. Steve and Cheryl renewed their wedding vows Feb. 7, 2006, while on a cruise in the western Caribbean. It was Steve’s first cruise, first airplane ride and first time so far from Maine. They had a great time together. The fact that Steve will be greatly missed goes beyond what mere words can express! While undergoing treatments, Steve required dozens of units of blood. He and his wife would like to urge everyone to donate blood as often as possible and to support and adopt a pet from the Humane Society. Steve is survived by his wife, Cheryl; parents, Jerry and Betty Leeman; brothers, Scott and Shawn; sisters, Shari Randall and Stacy Leeman; brother-in-law, Alfred Randall; sisters-in-law, Dawn White and Denise Randall; nephews, Scott, Daniel, Michael, Logan, Sean, Geoffrey, Trevor, Alexander, and Christopher; nieces, Megan, Denise, and Samantha; uncles, Bradley Leeman, Larry Sullivan, and Harvey Roberts; aunts, Sandra Sullivan, Maureen, Richard, and Sabyth Roberts; and several cousins. A memorial service will be held 3:30 p.m. Friday, May 26, at Belfast United Methodist Church, Mill Lane, Belfast, with the Rev. David Abbott officiating. Arrangements are under the care of Crabiel-Riposta Funeral Home, 182 Waldo Ave., Belfast.