Harry Tuck Leach, 95, died peacefully on Tuesday, September 11, 2012 at the Gregory Wing in Boothbay Harbor.

He was born on October 17, 1916 in Needham, Mass., the son of William Fullerton Leach and Emma Ditchett Leach.

Like his older and younger brother, Harry graduated from Needham Senior High School and Bowdoin College. At Bowdoin, he was a member of the Chi Psi Fraternity, and editor of the Bowdoin College Yearbook, “The Bugle.” He graduated in 1938.

Harry’s first job was as an automobile paint salesman for the E.I. Dupont Co. In 1942, he enlisted in the U.S. Coast Guard. It was his belief “that the experience and knowledge gained by all of us in this war can be used by us to execute a more permanent peace when it is over.” 

He served as a lieutenant and his tours of duty included Alaska and Australia. Harry experienced the proudest moment of his service when his ship, the USS Corpus Christi, rescued 92 survivors of the SS Peter Sylvester, which had been sunk by a German U-boat in the Indian Ocean.

When Harry returned stateside in 1945, he ventured out as an owner of a small business, Federal Marking Products in Boston. He became very involved in the industry, actively participating in the Marking Device Association and serving as a director for 5 years. In 1963, he also became president of the McLauthlin Elevator Company and operated both businesses for the remainder of his career.

None of this was done alone. Always by his side was Harry's devoted wife, Sally. They met as children when their families spent summers on neighboring Barter's and Sawyer's islands in Boothbay. They married in 1950 and resided in Needham, Mass.

Harry developed his love of the water and boats on Cape Cod and Barter's Island. He was an avid yachtsman and long time member of the Boothbay Harbor Yacht Club, serving as fleet captain for many years. He and Sally are well remembered for the many cruises they led down the coast of Maine with Boothbay Harbor Yacht Club, and for hosting fleets of boats sailing with the Blue Water Sailing Club.

In 1986, Harry and Sally retired from business and moved to Sawyer's Island year round. Harry was an active member of Boothbay Region Land Trust, serving on the board for several years. Harry exemplified his marriage vows by lovingly and patiently caring for Sally through her long battle with Alzheimer’s. 

He was predeceased by his wife, Sally in 2000 and by his two brothers, William in 1989 and Richmond in 2008.

Harry was a true gentleman with a wonderful sense of humor, who greeted everyone with respect and kindness. He was a father figure to many and a true friend to all who knew him. 

He is survived by his daughters, Sally Sewall of South Portland and Susan Leach and husband Larry Dibble of Sawyer's Island; niece Elizabeth Leach Welch and husband Tom of Marshfield Hills, Mass.; and nephew Burton Leach and wife Pat of Little Deer Isle. Also surviving are two great nieces, a great nephew, and their families, as well as a legion of friends. He will be greatly missed.

Burial will be private. Friends are invited to visit the family at home, 60 Tavenner Road, Sawyer's Island, Boothbay from 2 to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 22.

Donations in Harry’s memory may be made to the Boothbay Region YMCA, Camp Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 500, Boothbay Harbor, ME 04538, or the Boothbay Region Student Aid Fund, P.O. Box 293, Boothbay Harbor, ME 04538.

Arrangements are entrusted to Simmons, Harrington & Hall Funeral Home and Cremation Service, 975 Wiscasset Road, Boothbay.