CHERRYFIELD and BUCKSPORT – Walter Rayford Leach, 96, passed away July 17, 2007, at Narraguagus Bay Health Care Facility, Milbridge, after a brief illness. He was born Jan. 24, 1911, in Penobscot, the son of the late W. Scott Leach and Mercy (Torrey) Leach. Walter grew up on a farm and worked on the farm milking cows, cutting hay, and raking blueberries. He graduated from Clark High School, Penobscot, in 1928. In 1932, he graduated from the University of Maine in Orono and received his master’s degree in education in 1959. Walter served as principal and worked as basketball and baseball coach at Clark High School, Penobscot; Milbridge High School; Potter Academy, Sebago; and Corrina Union Academy. He also served as principal at Calais Memorial High School. Walter served as superintendent of schools at Union 40, which included New Sharon. He also served as superintendent in Sullivan. During the summer breaks from teaching and serving as principal, Walter worked for Jasper Wyman and Sons as a tester of products and supervisor of the factory during the summers. After his retirement from education in 1969, he worked at a vegetable and berry farm in Bucksport during the summer and also worked at H&R Block doing taxes from 1970 to 1988. While in education, he belonged to several organizations including the Executive Committee Association, Maine Principals Association, and National Education Association, where he served as a delegate to conventions in Boston, Atlantic City, Chicago, and Seattle. Walter was also a Mason since 1938 and a past member of the Farmington Rotary Club. Walter married his first wife, Madeline Pearl Scott, in 1934. Madeline passed away in 1967. He married Georgie (Gross) Chasse, in 1968. Georgie passed away in 1986. Walter was also predeceased by a son, Arlyn Leach, in 1998; a brother, Arthur Leach; and a sister, Rilla Moore. He is survived by a son, Wayne R. Leach and wife, Pauline, of Winslow; stepsons, Fred and wife, Mickey Chasse, of South Bristol, John Chasse and wife, Marilee, of Virginia, and Robert Chasse and wife, Earline, of Bucksport; longtime companion, Lorena Colbeth of Cherryfield; her son, Fulton Colbeth and wife, Nedra, of Cherryfield; Arlyn’s wife, Elizabeth Leach, of New Hampshire; grandchildren, Craig Leach, Clark Leach, Christopher Leach, Nathan Leach, Kenneth Leach, David Leach, Kimberly Colbeth, Kathy Colbeth, Thomas Colbeth, Anthony Small, and Timothy Small; many great-grand-children, nieces and nephews. Visiting hours will take place 1-2 p.m. Saturday, July 21, at Bragdon-Kelley-Campbell Funeral Home, Milbridge, where services will be held 2 p.m. A graveside service will be held 1 p.m. Wednesday, July 25, at New Sharon Village Cemetery, New Sharon. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Ark Animal Shelter, P.O. Box 276, Cherryfield, ME 04622 or to the American Cancer Society, Northern New England Region, 1 Bowdoin Mill Island, Suite 300, Topsham, ME 04086. www.bragdonkelley.com
WALTER RAYFORD LEACH
