J. Gordon Leech

J. Gordon Leech, 84, of Butler, passed away on Sunday, Feb. 8, 2026, in the comfort of his home and with his family at his side.

Born Nov. 7, 1941, in Butler, he was a son of the late Flavian A. Leech and Mae Cupps Leech.

A graduate of Butler High School Class of 1959, Gordon was a Vietnam-era veteran of the U.S. Army.

Following his military service, he was employed at Pullman Standard until it closed and then at Trinity Industries until it closed. He also worked for Butler Ambulance Service and the East Butler Borough Street Department.

Gordon was a member of St. Clare of Assisi Parish, St. Wendelin Roman Catholic Church.

He was a life member and former fire chief and EMT of the East Butler Volunteer Fire Company and past president of the East Butler Volunteer Fire Company and Relief Association. He started volunteering with the fire company at the age of 16 and retired with 45 years of service.

He was a life member and past president of the Butler County Fire Chiefs Association and a life member and past president of the Butler City Hunting and Fishing Club. He also belonged to the Butler County Law Enforcement Association, American Legion Post 117 in Butler, and he was a founding member of the Keystone Elk County Alliance in Benezette, Pa. During his daughters' younger years, he was involved with the East Butler Sparks Drum and Baton Corps and drove the Sparks' bus.

Gordon spent many happy days at his camp in Elk County. The camp, which is in the Dent's Run – Benezette area, has been in the Leech family since 1929. It's also isolated -- family and visitors must walk over a 300-foot swinging bridge to access it!

A sports fan, Gordon especially enjoyed following the Pittsburgh Pirates, Steelers, and Penguins, and NASCAR. His greatest joy was watching his grandchildren play sports.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Beverly A. Graham Leech, whom he married May 21, 1966 at St. Wendelin Roman Catholic Church and who was looking forward to celebrating their 60th anniversary in May; four daughters, Diane Hanchosky and her husband, Joe, of Butler, Karen Callihan and her husband, Kevin, of Butler, Laurie Spohn and her husband, Mark, of Lower Burrell, Pa., and Tracy Garing and her husband, Tom, of Chicora; and one sister, Eleanor Glace, of Penn Township.

He is also survived by 11 grandchildren, Ryan Hanchosky, Kristen (Brad) Fend, Kalynn (Jarret) Braughler, Kelsee Callihan, Madison (Zac) Hack, Ally Spohn, Clay Garing, Kyler Callihan, Tanner Spohn, Luke Garing, and Nate Garing; six great-grandchildren; brothers and sisters-in-law, Joan and Dave Snyder and Larry and Maria Graham; a number of nieces, nephews and cousins; and one cousin with whom he was close, John "Jackie" Leech.

In addition to his parents, Gordon was preceded in death by his brother, Robert H. Leech; his in-laws, George and Libby Graham; one brother-in-law, Richard Glace; two grandsons, Matthew Hanchosky and Baby Boy Spohn; and two nephews, Robert P. Leech and Edward Glace.

There will be no visitation.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on 11:30 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 13, at St. Clare of Assisi Parish, St. Wendelin Roman Catholic Church, 210 Saint Wendelin Rd., Butler, with Rev. Matt McClain officiating.

Military Honors will be accorded at the church by American Legion Post 778, VFW Post 249, and VFW Post 499.

In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Gordon Leech may be made to the East Butler Volunteer Fire Company, P.O. Box 162, East Butler, PA 16029, or to the Visiting Nurses Association, 154 Hindman Rd., Butler, PA 16001.

Arrangements were entrusted to the care of Martin Funeral Home Downtown, 201 E. Cunningham St., Butler.