Elwell P. Leach, 100, of Newcastle, died on Nov. 4 at his residence, 13 years and one day after his wife Frances.
Ellie was born Feb. 3, 1912 in Orland, a son of William and Catherine (York) Leach.
After the eighth grade Ellie worked at the mill in Bucksport, then for Central Maine Power Company and in 1943 he joined the U.S. Navy, serving his country as a Radar Operator during WWII. He was honorably discharged in 1946 as a Petty Officer, 2nd Class, and at that time went back to CMP as a boiler operator.
In 1963 he married Frances Fossett Morin and they made their home in Newcastle.
Ellie worked for CMP for 35 years, retiring at the age of 64.
Ellie enjoyed hunting and trips home to Orland to visit his family and friends. He loved to dance, sing and tell stories of when he was growing up, his military experience, and the adventures of people he met along the way. He never forgot a name. He also enjoyed frequenting Yellowfront Grocery in Damariscotta, chatting it up with the girls, as well as his weekly luncheons with his great friend Keith Bachelder and others from his CMP days. He was quite a legend.
Ellie was a passionate member of the NRA, a member of the Veterans of Foreign War, and a 65-year member of the Masons Rising Sun Lodge #71.
He was predeceased by his wife, Frances; sisters, Gertrude Snowman, Lena Leach, and Ruth Dorr; and brothers, Phillip, William and Norman Leach.
Ellie is survived by his sister, Hildred Kinney of Enfield; stepson, James Morin and wife Teri of Topsham; stepdaughter, Gay Clark and husband Paul of Texas; step-grandchildren, Tracy Spore and husband Kelly of Texas, Douglas Clark and wife Gina of Damariscotta, Janessa Clark of Stockholm, Sweden, and Michael Morin and wife Claudia of Portland; and many great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
Celebration of his life 12 p.m., Thurs., Nov. 8 at the Mitchell-Tweedie Funeral Home, 28 Elm St., Bucksport. Ellie will be buried in the Oak Grove Cemetery, Orland. (mitchelltweedie-young.com)
