MONROE — Leon D. Moody, 82, of Monroe, passed away peacefully in a Bangor hospital July 12, 2013, after a courageous battle with cancer.

Leon was born April 18, 1931, to Harold and Lucy (Dickey) Moody of Monroe. The youngest of seven children, he was a self-described "country boy" who grew up on the family farm, where he learned the value of hard work but also got into his share of mischief. He graduated from Monroe High School, and later married Helen Stairs, his wife of 58 years. In 1966 he went to work at St. Regis (later Champion) paper mill in Bucksport, where he worked for 30 years until his retirement.

He was a four-year veteran of the U.S. Navy, and he took great pride in honoring his fellow veterans in Monroe's Memorial Day and Veterans Day activities, and he was a member of the American Legion. For many years he performed maintenance for the town cemeteries, and was heavily involved with the restoration of the Civil War-era Soldiers' Monument in the Monroe Village Cemetery. During his affiliation with the Odd Fellows Lodge he served on all of the chairs. He was devoted to his family and always provided whatever they needed from him, whether it was a ride to town or a direct, unfiltered opinion. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, playing cards, dancing, and especially working in his gardens. He loved to tease and poke fun, and had a sarcastic but jolly sense of humor that charmed everyone who knew him.

Leon is predeceased by his parents and by his siblings, Alice, Elwin, Henry, Margaret, Maurice, and Wilmot. He is survived by his wife, Helen; his daughters, Sally and her husband, Francis Cousins, and Doreen Philbrick of Winterport; his sons, Randy of Monroe and Gregory and his wife, Danielle, of Hamden, Conn.; his grandchildren, Jason and Darren Philbrick, Andrea (Cousins) Sorenberger and Travis Cousins, and John and Timothy Moody; nine great-grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Family and friends are invited to a time of visitation Saturday July 20, from noon to 1 p.m. at Riposta Funeral Home, 182 Waldo Ave. in Belfast, where a memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. with refreshments following.