Robert Leach, Jr., obituary

Tue, 12/28/2021 - 12:00pm
ISLESBORO — Robert (Bob) Leach, Jr., 82, passed away peacefully at home on December 17, 2021, with his daughter Tara nearby.
 
He was born on Islesboro in their family home on Colony Rd, December 25, 1938, to Robert Leach Sr and Edna (Sylvester) Leach.
 
Robert's parents moved to Connecticut a few years after his birth and so Robert, or Bobby as he was also known, grew up and attended school in Ellington, Connecticut.
 
As a young man, he raced cars for many years starting on dirt tracks and traveled from Connecticut to New York almost every weekend. He was proud of his accomplishments and when talking about racing, he would be sure to say that he won the Race Of Kings in 1976 at Lebanon Valley Speedway.
 
Bob had three children from his first marriage, who were raised in Connecticut.
 
He took a small hiatus from racing and settled down, back on Islesboro, where he had three more children with his current wife, Connie Lyn Leach.
 
Bob started his own business at their home on Colony Road where he built fireplace screens, did auto body repair and fixed just about anything with an engine in it. This is where he started Leach's Garage. 
 
Leach's Garage grew and expanded to include oil delivery so he purchased the now current Main Road garage from Joseph Pisciotta.  Racing was in his blood so in the late 1980s, he got back on the race track, this time traveling throughout New England.
 
Bob's laugh was infectious and people loved to hear his stories, which were many and colorful.  He wasn't afraid to share his political opinion, whether asked about it or not. 
 
After closing Leach's Garage and Oil, he began driving many of Babe's dumptrucks getting material brought over.  He was a longtime fixture in the back of the Island Market, gabbing with "the guys" for many, many years. 
 
In 2016, he was diagnosed with lung cancer and, after all the treatments, the famously stubborn Bob Leach successfully beat it. Even after beating cancer, he continued to battle other, different health issues.
 
Robert is survived by his wife, Connie, of Islesboro; son Robert Leach III and his two children, of Broad Brook Connecticut; son Joshua Leach and wife Janice Leach and their four children of Islesboro; daughter Tara Leach and her two children of Islesboro; son Andrew Leach and wife Essie Leach of Scarborough, Maine; grandson Gregory St. John and wife Samantha of Uncasville, Connecticut; granddaughter Alexandra Craig of Portland, Maine; sister Linda Pisciotta of Corinna, Maine; sister Carol Leach and George Reynolds of Cape Coral, Florida; sister Judi Brooks and husband Paul Brooks of Corinna, Maine; brother Daniel Leach and wife Tammy of Ellington, Connecticut; and brother Ronald Leach and wife Patricia of Ellington, Connecticut.
 
Robert was predeceased by his father and mother, Robert Leach Sr and Edna (Sylvester) Leach; daughter Diana Stager; grandson Christopher DuPerry; daughter Brenda Craig; daughter in law Dorothy Leach; and brother in law John Pisciotta.
 
Graveside services will be held in the Spring at Maple Grove Cemetery, date to be announced.