David Leach

He was born the youngest of seven children on December 14, 1926 in Hibbing, Minnesota to Edward W. and Helen M. Leach. He attended primary school in Hibbing, and then graduated high school at Cathedral High School in Duluth, Minnesota. David served in the United States Army Air Corps in 1944-45 and then returned to receive a B.A. Degree in Business Administration and Economics in 1948 from the University of Minnesota Duluth. He then went on to earn a B.A. Degree in Mechanical Engineering at Michigan Tech University in Houghton, Michigan in 1951. For 66-1/2 years he was married to his beloved wife, Helen Hayes. They were married June 21, 1952 at Holy Rosary Cathedral in Duluth.

The couple first lived in Minneapolis, and then moved to Marquette, Michigan where David became President of Charter Incorporated in Ishpeming. David’s work history also includes working concurrently as President of Great Lakes Tire Sales, President of Drong Engineering Corporation in Hibbing, Minnesota and Vice President and Co-Founder of Northern Automatic Electric Foundry in Ishpeming. He also served on the Board of Directors of the Michigan Financial Corporation Bank in Ishpeming and Marquette. He retired in 1996.

David was a founding member of the Marquette Cotillion Dance Club, a member of St. Peter’s Cathedral, Marquette Golf Club, and Lake Michigamme Property Owners Association. He enjoyed skiing and was President of the Cliffs Ridge Ski Club for ten years. He enjoyed summers at his camp on Lake Michigamme, swimming, boating and sailing. His winters were spent with family and friends in Cancun, Mexico.

David was predeceased by three brothers, Edward (Lala) Leach of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania; Hugh (Mary) Leach of Chagrin Falls, Ohio; John M. (Ginny) Leach of Premont, Texas; and three sisters, Ellen (Bob) Farmer of Dallas, Texas; Joan (Chelsea) Phillips of Green Valley, Arizona; and Miriam Lee (Chuck) of Dallas, Texas.

He is survived by his wife Helen; daughter Sally (Dave) Peterjohn of Excelsior, Minnesota; daughter Mary (Tom) Russell of Newport Beach, California; daughter Betsy (Don) Hughes of San Diego, California; son Dr. David (Nancy) Leach of Tampa, Florida; and son Tim (Anne-Marie) Leach of Maple Grove, Minnesota.

He is also survived by 11 loving grandchildren.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Saturday, January 12th at 12:30 p.m. in St. Peter Cathedral with the Rev. Msgr. Michael Steber officiating. The Leach family will greet relatives and friends beginning at 11 a.m. in the Bishop’s Room of the cathedral until the time of the Mass. Burial will take place in the Holy Cross Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers memorials are preferred to St. Peter Cathedral, 311 W. Baraga Ave., Marquette, MI 49855 or to the Community Foundation of Marquette County, Marquette Area Fund, 250 N. McClellan Ave., Marquette, MI 49855 in Mr. Leach’s memory.

The Canale-Tonella Funeral Home is assisting the Leach family where memories may be shared at canalefuneral.com.