HERBERT L. LEACH WELLESLEY ISLAND, N.Y. — Herbert L. Leach, 96, of Wellesley Island, N.Y., and formerly of Ogdensburg, N.Y., and Watertown, N.Y., passed away on Monday, Aug. 25, 2014, in the Samaritan Summit Village in Watertown, N.Y.
Herbert was born April 12, 1918, in Fairfax, Vt., a son of the late Lyman and Maybelle (Wright) Leach.
He graduated from Burlington High School and continued his education at the University of Vermont, and then at the University of Maryland. In 1941, he joined the US Army as part of the Vermont National Guard during W.W.II and served throughout the Pacific Theatre, including the recapture of the Philippines.
He married Ruth Fuller of Williston, Vt., in January 1942, in Starke, Fla. After W.W.II, he returned to the Burlington area and worked for the Federal Government in St. Albans, until he was recalled to service with the Vermont National Guard for the Korean Conflict. In 1952, he entered the US Border Patrol and was stationed in McAllen, Texas, Calais, Maine, Calexico, Calif., Watertown, N.Y., and Ogdensburg, N.Y., from where he retired in 1978 as Senior Intelligence Officer, having accumulated a career of over 40 years Federal service.
He was a longtime member of the Ogdensburg Rotary Club and received the Paul Harris Award in 2000.
Herbert was also a member of the National Active & Retired Federal Employees Association and the Fraternal Order of Retired Border Patrol Officers.
Surviving are his children, Susan Woodward and husband, Jack, of Wellesley Island, N.Y., Trisha Fluno and husband, David, of Watertown, N.Y., and Pamela McDonald and husband, John, of Mesa, Ariz.; seven grand¬children; three great¬grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was predeceased by his wife, Ruth; and two sisters, Dorothy Rowell and Thelma Kowall.
As per his request, there will be no public services.
His place of rest will be at Foxwood Memorial Park, Ogdensburg, N.Y.
Condolences are welcomed online at
www.foxandmurrayfuneralhome.com.
Memorial contributions can be made to National Border Patrol Museum, 4315 Woodrow Bean Trans Mountain Road, El Paso, TX 79924, (915)-759-6060; or Hospice of Jefferson County, 1398 Gotham St., Watertown, NY 13601, (315) 788-7323.
