James L. McLeish
...retired from N. E. Telephone; Gr. Lowell Boy Scouts, Nationwide traveler; 79
TEWKSBURY - James L. McLeish, age 79, well known throughout the Merrimack Valley for hiswork with the Boy Scouts and N.E.T., died Tuesday, Jan. 6, at his home, after a brief battle withcancer. He was the husband of Ruth M. (Procter) McLeish, with whom he would have celebrateda 58th wedding anniversary on March 22nd.
He was born in Schuyler, Nebraska, May 16, 1924, one of ten sons of Andrew K. and Goldie(Newburn) McLeish. He was raised in Schuyler, Nebraska, and graduated from Schuyler HighSchool in 1942. He immediately enlisted in the U.S. Coast Guard, and was eventually assigned toSubchaser 527, Pacific Theater.
Upon discharge, he began work for New England Telephone. During his 39 years of service heserved in many capacities.
He had lived in Tewksbury for the past 52 years, and was a member of the First Baptist Churchin North Tewksbury.
He was a Mason, and had enjoyed membership in the Acacia Lodge # 34, A.F. & A.M. inSchuyler, Nebraska for more than 50 years.
He was devoted to the Boy Scouts of America, beginning with Tewksbury’s Troop 41 at theFirst Baptist Church, and later the Greater Lowell B.S.A. Council, where he was a PastPresident. He was honored by the B.S.A. with the coveted Silver Beaver and St. George’sAwards.
Along with his wife, he was a past member of the Shuffling Shoes Square Dance Club of Billerica.
The McLeish family traveled extensively, most recently in their 5th wheel travel trailer. They werealso members of the Holiday Rambler Recreational Vehicle Club, and had served as ClubPresident for two years. In their extensive travels, they had visited all 50 states, and all but oneCanadian Province.
Besides his wife, he is survived by two daughters and sons-in-law, Judith and her husbandDouglas Gordon of Chelmsford, Janice and her husband Thomas Feeney of Oakton, VA; twosons and daughters-in-law, James E. and his wife Lynda (Craffey) McLeish of Tewksbury, Capt.David B. McLeish, U.S.C.G., Washington Headquarters, and his wife Lauren (Bradford) McLeishresiding in Burtonsville, MD; one brother and three sisters-in-law, Gerald and his wife DeborahMcLeish of Lolo, MT, Mary McLeish of Schuyler, NE, Maxine McLeish of Cherokee Village,AK; ten grandchildren, Robert and Emily Gordon, Christine and Andrew Feeney, Robyn,Amanda, James, and Kevin McLeish, and Melinda and Victoria McLeish; and numerous niecesand nephews.
He was also brother of the late Andrew, William, Robert, Harley, Charley, Joseph, Donald, andHarold McLeish, and grandfather of the late Thomas and Kathryn Feeney.
His Funeral Service was held Saturday, Jan. 10, in the funeral home. Interment with Coast Guard Honors was inTewksbury Cemetery.
Memorials to the Bertha Flanagan Scholarship Fund, c/o1st Baptist church, 1500 Andover St., Tewksbury, MA 01876 will be appreciated.