Eugene Wells Leach, Sr.

Gilford, NH-----Eugene Wells Leach, Sr., 73, of 55 Cat Path, died at the Lakes Region General Hospital, Laconia, NH. on Tuesday, October 30, 2007.

Eugene was born at home in Dry Mills, Maine, on July 3, 1934, the son of Victor W. and Hortence H. (Lowe) Leach.

Eugene graduated from Pennell Institute in Gray, Maine in 1952 and attended Maine Technical Institute in Portland, Maine.  He played semi-pro baseball for the “Auburn Aces” in Auburn, Maine for several seasons after trying out as a left-handed pitcher for the Boston Braves in Atlanta, Georgia and later was asked to try-out for the Brooklyn Dodgers.

Eugene had been a resident of Gilford, New Hampshire since 1964 coming from New York State where he had been employed for several years with Perini Corp.  He worked for Perini Corp. of Framingham, Massachusetts for thirty years before retirement, working all over the U. S. cleaning up federal super fund sites and interstate highways as a civil engineer.  He also worked for Pike Industries and for a few years, in the 80’s, he had his own excavating business locally called C. & L. Contractors and most recently with North American Reserve, Laconia until his death.

Eugene had been a member of the Cumberland Lodge #12, A.F. & A. M. in New Gloucester, Maine since 1954.  He was a life time member of Maine Consistory Scottish Rites, Portland, Maine and a member of the Winnipesaukee Shrine-Bektash Temple, Concord, NH.

Eugene was a very loving husband to his wife of fifty-four years, Susan (Spearin) Leach, of Gilford, NH.  He is also survived by daughters, Sharon L. Siers and her husband, Gary, of Post Falls, Idaho, Linda L. Wagner of Laconia, NH., Lisa L. Mowery and her husband, Scott, of Laconia; sons, Eugene W. Leach, Jr. and his wife, Danette, of Gilford, Ryan P. Leach and his wife, Dana, of Midway, Utah; seven grandchildren; three great grandchildren; a sister, Cora Skillings, of Gray, Maine and five nephews.

Calling hours will be held on Friday, November 2, 2007 from 6:00-8:00PM in the Carriage House of the Wilkinson-Beane Funeral Home, 164 Pleasant Street, Laconia, NH.

A Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, November 3, 2007 at 1:00PM at the Gilford Community Church, 19 Potter Hill Road, Gilford, NH 03249.  Rev. Michael Graham, Pastor of the Church, will officiate.

Burial will follow in the family lot in Pine Grove Cemetery, Gilford, NH.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Shriners Hospital for Children, Boston Burns Unit, 51 Blossom Street, Boston, MA 02114.

Wilkinson-Beane Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 164 Pleasant Street, Laconia, NH is in charge of the arrangements.