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John P. "Jack" Leech

John P. 'Jack' Leech, age 86, of Kittanning, died on Wednesday, October 3, 2007, at the Good Samaritan Hospice in Cabot, PA.

He was born on April 28, 1921, in Kittanning, PA, to William M. and Virginia (Earley) Leech.

Mr. Leech graduated from Kittanning High School in 1940 and then attended the University of Pittsburgh. He earned his Masters in Industrial Arts from California State Teachers College. Mr. Leech was an Industrial Arts Teacher at the Kittanning High School of the Armstrong County School District for 27 years until his retirement in 1979. He was the Chairman of Practical and Fine Arts at Kittanning Jr. and Sr. High for many years. Mr. Leech was also self employed as a general contractor and was a certified cabinet maker.

Mr. Leech was a member of the First United Methodist Church where he served as a past Church Trustee and an Administration Board Member. He was a life member of the National Education Association and also a member of the Pennsylvania State Education Association, F. & A.M. Masonic Lodge #244 and New Castle Consistory. Jack was a lifetime member of the National Rifle Association where he was an instructor of basic rifle and hunting safety courses. He was a board member of the Y.M.C.A. for 14 years and a Scout Master for many years. He was a past advisor and member of DeMolay Chapter, a master counselor of Legion of Honor, a past board member of Evergreen Homes, a past chairman of Non-Profit Housing Corp., and a past president of Armstrong Co. Boro. Assoc. Mr. Leech was a Navy Veteran of WWII where he served in the European Theater. He enjoyed working in his woodshop, hunting, fishing, art metal, and tending to his well weeded garden.

He is survived his wife Amanda MacDonald Leech who he married June 9, 1951; two daughters, Lee Ann Koffman of Kittanning; and Lynn Ellen (Gregory) Toth of Kittanning; four grandsons, Jeremy Heath Peters, Taylor John Toth, Gregory 'Mac' MacDonald Toth, and Jud Jeffrey Toth; one granddaughter, Amanda Elaine Peters; one great grandson, Dominic Scialabba; one sister, Bonnie I. (Richard) Starr of Kittanning; and one brother, William R. (Mary Alice) Leech of Charlotte, NC and his beloved pets, Gus and Zoie.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Friends will be received from 10:00 AM until the time of the Memorial Service at 11:00 AM on Saturday, October 6, 2007, at the First United Methodist Church, 301 N. Jefferson St., Kittanning, PA 16201 with Rev. Dr. Allyn Ricketts officiating.

Memorial Contributions may be made to the Orphans of the Storm, P.O. Box 838, Kittanning, PA 16201 or the First United Methodist Church, 301 N. Jefferson St., Kittanning, PA 16201.

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