AUGUSTA — Melvin Ashley Leach, 88, passed away April 27, 2015, at the Maine Veteran's Home in Augusta with his family by his side. He was born in Glen Cove on Oct. 15, 1926, the son of Ashley Melvin Leach and Eva (Closson) Leach.

Melvin grew up in a large family with seven brothers and sisters during the Great Depression. This taught him the value of hard work, which he demonstrated throughout his life with a strong work ethic. He was a Jack-of-all-trades, working as an airplane mechanic, truck driver, welder at Fisher Engineering and most notably a lifelong carpenter. Place a pile of lumber, siding, shingles, plumbing and electrical materials on a house lot and he would build you a house. If you live in one of those split level homes on Route 17 by Chickawaukie Lake in Rockland, you are living in a home built almost single-handedly by him.

He also did a stint in the United States Air Force, as an airplane mechanic, and did part of his tour of duty stateside in Washington, D.C. He liked to tell us how he worked on President Harry S. Truman's Airplane. It was a source of pride for him.

Melvin is survived by his sons, Robert Leach and his wife, Connie, and Richard Leach and his wife, Linda; his stepson, Vernon Arey and his wife, Jan; his grandchildren, Gretchen, Maddy, Jonathan and Nicole; as well as great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his sisters, Betty, Jeanette, Avis and Carol; and his brother, Bruce; as well as many nieces, nephews and their children.

He was predeceased by his wives, Josephine, Sarah and Viola; his sister, Claribell; and his brother, Edwin.

A gathering of family and friends will be held Monday, May 4 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Long Funeral Home, 9 Mountain St. in Camden.

In lieu of flowers please do something special for a person or charity of your choice in memory of Melvin Leach.