Donald D. Leach

     LEACH, Donald D., 74, ASHLAND, July 2, 2014. At Don’s request, funeral services will be private and at the convenience of the family. Arrangements are under the care of Lajoie Funeral Home, Ashland.

    ASHLAND – Donald D. Leach, 74, died unexpectedly on Wednesday, July 2, 2014. He was born August 8, 1939, in Ashland, a son of the late Clyde and Laversa (Poitras) Leach. 

    He enlisted with the US Army serving as a Huey helicopter pilot during Vietnam. Following almost seven years of service, he received his Honorable Discharge in 1967. He worked several years as a helicopter pilot in Thailand and Iran before returning to Ashland to work a short time with Maine Forest Service. He also worked over 25 years in Louisiana and Texas flying workers to and from oil rigs in the Gulf of Mexico, until his retirement in 1998 and returning to Ashland.
    Don enjoyed hunting and fishing. Many of his best memories were made spending summers on Carr Pond helping his father tend to the Forest Service Fire Tower.
    He is survived by two sons, Mark Leach and his wife, Joanna of Meriden, CT, and Adam Leach and his wife, Deanna of Hermon; one sister, Lillian Letourneau of Presque Isle; and six grandchildren.
    Besides his parents, Don was predeceased by his three brothers, Robert, Billy and Andy Leach.
    At Don’s request, funeral services will be private and at the convenience of the family. Arrangements are entrusted to Lajoie Funeral Home, 114 Exchange St., Ashland, ME 04732. Donations in Don’s memory may be made to: Northern Maine Veterans Cemetery, PO Box 312, Caribou, ME 04736, or Aroostook House of Comfort, PO Box 867, Presque Isle, ME 04769. To share condolences online, please visit www.LajoieFuneralHome.com.