FREEDOM – Guy Sumner Leeman Jr., 89, passed away Wednesday, Dec. 9, 2009, at the Maine Veterans’ Home, Augusta. He was born May 1, 1920, in Palermo, the son of Guy S. and Lillian (Scates) Leeman. The second of four brothers, he grew up on the Leeman farm beside the Sheepscot River. Guy graduated from Walker High School in 1939. He worked various jobs until he entered the U.S. Army in World War II, where he served in Watertown, Mass. After World War II, he married Susan Mathieson Tibbetts of Montville. They lived for a while in Vermont, then settled for 40 years in Hampden, where he and Susan raised their two children, Beverlee “Lee” Tibbetts and Gary S. Leeman. Guy and Sue also opened their home to three young people who were homeless in the late ’40s and the ’50s. Guy worked for Webber Oil, Bangor, as a mechanic, and was later self employed as a woodsman, tree planter and stone mason. He was one of the local characters of the Hampden – Newburgh area, and was well-known, frequently by reputation only, by hunters, fishermen and game wardens of the Eagle Lake area. Their kitchen in Hampden was a popular spot for coffee, donuts, stories and the occasional exaggeration. Guy and Susan moved to Freedom in 1993 and they lived in a log house, the last of four Guy built. He once said he could build anything with a chainsaw and a sledgehammer. In Freedom, Guy considered himself retired. His health declined after a heart attack in 1996, but he always managed to stay busy puttering around, milling wood, gardening and enjoying their great-grandchildren. He and Sue were lovingly cared for by their daughter, Lee, for the past three years. Guy was predeceased by his parents; and brothers, Archie and Lloyd Leeman. He is survived by his wife, Susan M. Leeman of Freedom; stepdaughter, Beverlee Tibbetts of Freedom; his son and wife, Gary and Sharon Leeman of Palermo. Guy’s grandchildren and their families are Tammy (Leeman) and Scott Shaw, Jake, Brooke and Kodi; Jerry Leeman and Kevin Rhodes of South China, Roxxie, Trevor and Travis Ripley; Laura (Leeman) and Matt Freeman of Freedom, Susie, Jarred, Jayson, Marissa and Rebekah; Guy III and Amy Leeman and Ellie of Palermo; Terry Ann Leeman and Alexis of Winslow; and Amanda (Leeman) and Kevin Worth, Isabella and Brodie of Palermo. Guy is also survived his brother and his wife, Bruce and Betty Leeman of Palermo; a sister-in-law, Hilda Leeman; and a large number of nieces and nephews. The family extends their gratitude for the excellent care provided by the Maine Veterans’ Home, Augusta. A memorial service will be held 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 12, at Palermo Christian Church, Branch Mills. Please share a “Guy” story with us. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Liberty Volunteer Ambulance Service, P.O. Box 174, Liberty, ME 04949 or to a charity of your choice. Arrangements are under the care of Plummer Funeral Home, 983 Ridge Road, Route 32, Windsor.
GUY SUMNER LEEMAN JR.
