Donald F. Leadley

February 23, 1930 - November 11, 2017

Donald F. Leadley of Lake Pleasant passed away peacefully at 87 years of age on November 11, 2017 at the Capstone Rehabilitation Facility in Amsterdam. Born February 23, 1930 on Staten Island, he was the son of John H. and Anna O. (Martin) Leadley. The Leadleys first visited Speculator as vacationers in the early 1930's staying at a cottage owned by Stan Schoonmaker's family. After the death of Don's father, the family moved to Speculator in 1947, starting the Rondack Restaurant and later, Leadley Lodge . Don finished his last months of schooling at Wells High School where he met the love of his life June Bradt and married her in 1951. After high school, Don worked as a lumberjack, a mason's assistant, a carpenter, and an edger at the local steam-powered sawmill before learning the electrical contracting trade from Virgil Burch of Piseco. After Virgil's death and with the encouragement of his widow Irene, Don opened his own business, Leadley Electric Service. In the winters, he worked at the local ski centers, later becoming assistant manager at Oak Mt. and manager at Silver Bells. Don learned the home-builder trade out of the necessity to provide a home for his young family. He later constructed pre-fab Techbuilt homes in several counties in the '60's, felled trees and built a large log cabin near Speculator Mountain in the 70's, and constructed a lakehouse on Sacandaga Lake in the 80's where he and his wife could retire. As a private pilot and an active member of the Experimental Aircraft Association, Don was an accomplished builder of various aircraft and always had an airplane under construction in his garage. He also was a skilled woodsman and loved being outdoors hunting, fishing, skiing, and, in his later years, enjoyed the Adirondacks by driving with Junie at his side. Don was a longtime champion of his hometown of Speculator and faithfully served his community in many roles. He was a member of the original Red Cross volunteer ambulance squad, school board president, town assessor, zoning officer, land use code enforcement officer, planning consultant to the village, and a 26-year Speculator volunteer fire fighter. Don also testified before the NYS Assembly on deer management and environmental issues. His volunteer work and commitment to his community came from a deep love for the Adirondack mountains and the people who live there. Predeceased by his wife June Bradt Leadley and his sisters Alice Clarius and Betty Fornino, Don is survived by his beloved brothers Jack and Roger Leadley, his cherished daughters Donna Milazzo, Nancy Osborne, and Cindy Perkins, eleven grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, cousins, nephews and nieces. Don and June were married for 64 wonderful years, acting together as a team in their older years to negotiate the difficulties of aging. They were full of faith and loved the Bible and Bible studies. In their last years, he and June would often say that they were leaning on the Lord and getting ready to go be with Him. The family would like to acknowledge with gratitude the loving care Don received during the last months of his life at Capstone Rehabilitation Facility in Amsterdam. There are too many individuals to name, but the family was touched by the kindness of such good people. There will be a celebration of the life of Don Leadley next summer when his family and friends can gather together, with details to be provided later. Until then, the family shares Don's request that we not grieve his passing but perhaps remember him by raising a glass of wine to his memory. If you wish to make a memorial contribution in Don's name, please consider the Speculator Volunteer Fire Department. Don, Ed Perkins, Jack Wolfe, and others were responsible for designing and constructing the original fire department building in 1970. The building now, however, is in need of renovations and any gift would be of benefit to the community. Arrangements are under the care of the Northville Funeral Home. Condolences may be made to the family online at www.northvillefuneralservice.com.