Thomas E. Leech

Thomas E. Leech, 93, of Meadville, passed away December 22, 2024, at Juniper Village.

 Born in Chicago, IL on August 30, 1931, the son of the late Joseph and Blanche Leech.

Tom maintained a strong commitment to serving his country, community, and family from an early age. After graduating from Meadville High School, he enrolled at Allegheny College in 1950. However, he put his education on hold to join the Air Force, where he became a pilot and was stationed in Korea and Okinawa towards the end of the Korean War. Tom was a member of the 13th Bomb Squadron flying B-26’s and served for six years before returning home to complete his bachelor’s degree at Allegheny (the first in his family). Following his graduation, he joined the family business, Leech Tool & Die Works, as Secretary/Treasurer.

 In addition to his civilian career, Tom continued his military service in the Air Force Reserve and later the Pennsylvania Air National Guard. After 30 years of dedicated service, he retired with the rank of Colonel. 

Tom enjoyed giving back to the community and for over 45 years donated his time and equipment as videographer for organizations such as the Charity Follies, Miss Crawford County Scholarship Pageant, Meadville High School Marching Band, several Meadville High School athletics programs, local dance studios, and youth orchestras. Over the years, he took great pleasure in helping athletes edit and produce highlight videos for college applications. In 2009, he was awarded the Cocolin Sports Service Award for “positive and unselfish contributions to the sports community”.

Tom always appreciated classical music and various sports. He found joy in watching his children and grandchildren perform or compete in concerts, dance recitals, theater performances, or their many soccer, baseball, softball, hockey and volleyball games whenever possible.

In addition to his wife of 62 years, Nancy, Tom is survived by his four children: Thomas, Janice, Joseph and Edward, nine grandchildren: Chase, Brendan, Hannah, Olivia, Chloe, William, Thomas, Rachel, and Paul, and one great-grandchild: Jack.

Family and friends are invited to call on Thursday, December 26th, 2024, from 11-1 pm at ROSE AND WAID FUNERAL HOME, 581 CHESTNUT ST., MEADVILLE, where a Memorial Service will follow at 1 pm.

The family requests in lieu of flowers, all memorials be made to Oil Creek & Titusville Railroad Society, 409 S. Perry Street, Titusville, PA 16354, the National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution, PO Box 98091, Washington, DC 20090 or to Juniper Village of Meadville, 455 Chestnut Street, Meadville.

Memories and condolences may be shared at www.rosefh.com