Nelson James W. Leach
Nelson James William Leach of Spencerville died peacefully in his home on Nov. 30, 2003. He was 82 years old.
He was born on Feb. 26, 1921 in Owen Sound to William James Leach and Margueritta Barnes Anastasia Emes. He grew up in the Muskoka region. At the age of 19 he joined the Navy during the Second World War.
While in the Navy, he met his wife of 38 years, Lucy Strickland. When the war ended, he pursued his dream of becoming an engineer for the Canadian Pacific Railway, and moved his family to Sudbury.
Later, he bought a farm and moved his family to Ventnor Road in Spencerville. He and his wife raised a large family and their home was known to all as "the farm." Many happy hours were enjoyed by family, friends and neighbors alike. There was always music and card games being played. He was a gifted fiddler and his sons John and Tom inherited his musical talents.
He is survived by his former wife, Lucy (Strickland) McLean of Maitland; his children Shirley Dyks (John) of Prescott, Karen Dykes (Russ) of Arizona, Bill (Lois) Leach of Spencerville, Lucy Maichen (Bob) of Edmonton, John (Donna) Leach of Winchester, Tom (Valda) Leach of Spencerville, Stanley (Carrie) Leach of Edmonton and Violet Chase (Randy) of Oxford Mills. He will be remembered by 21 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
He is also survived by his sisters Dawn Hilliard of Midland, and Lorna West of Mississauga, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his father and mother; infant son Nelson; twins Milton and Marion; son Jim; brothers Milton and Stanley; and sister Oneida.
In celebration of Nelson's life, friends called at the Grant Brown Funeral Home Purcell Chapel in Spencerville on Dec. 3, where members of Royal Canadian Legion Branch 604 gathered for a service.
The funeral service was held in the chapel of the funeral home on Dec. 4 at 2 pm with Bill Rabey conducting the service. Miriam Woodland was the organist for the service and the eulogy was read by granddaughter Linda Powers.
Memories of their grandfather were also shared by grandson Johnny Dyks and granddaughter Kathy Phillips. Nelson's sons John and Tom paid tribute to their Dad by playing some of his favorite songs and also played the fiddle as the funeral procession left the funeral home.
Pallbearers were grandsons Johnny Dyks, Craig Leach, Mitch and Dusty Leach and Tyler and Travis Leach. The honorary pallbearers were his grandchildren Linda Powers, Kathy Phillips, Valeria Maichen, Myranda Collins, Sarena Strader, Katrina Leach, and Amber, Ruby, Donald and Jamie Duncan. Interment was at Roselawn Memorial Gardens.
A reception followed at the Spencerville Legion. Memorial donations to the Heart and Stroke Foundation or a charity of choice would be gratefully acknowledged.