AUGUSTA – Harold Richard Leighton, 90, died Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2024, at the Maine Veterans Home in Augusta. He was born in Mt. Vernon on Dec. 20, 1933, a son of the late Edwin W. and Nelda (Halliday) Leighton.
He grew up in Mt. Vernon on the Bean Road. Before the Army, he worked at the Maine Chance Farm in the greenhouse and on the grounds in Mt. Vernon.
Harold was in the US Army from 1956 – 1958 in the artillery and missile division. He and his wife lived in Cleveland, Ohio as he was stationed in Parma Heights, Ohio for one year.
He married Norma Ilene Currier on June 25, 1955, at the Baptist Church in Mt. Vernon and moved to Augusta in 1958.
Mr. Leighton started work at Cony High School on Nov. 3, 1958, retiring as Head Custodian in June 1998. For 40 years he was at Cony as well as Head Custodian at the Vocational and Alternative Schools. He also drove the school bus as part of his job for 18 years. He was honored many times upon his retirement.
Harold was a carpenter building his own house additions, garage and shed in the 1960’s and a lot of his own camp in the 1980’s and 90’s.
Mr. Leighton enjoyed people and was always willing to help someone. He was compassionate and a great hospitable host at his home and at camp. He always had a greeting for everyone and was very patient.
He loved to hunt and spend time at his camp on Flying Pond in Mt. Vernon with his family. He always had projects, especially carpentry projects. He could repair almost anything. He was a “Jack of all Trades”, master of none, though often times better than a master of one”.
Harold enjoyed traveling with his wife, traveling throughout the US, including Hawaii and Alaska twice, Canada, Bermuda, Caribbean and Europe. In the past, the whole family traveled every year in the summer. He adored his grandsons and spent a great deal of time with them. They were his everything. He was “Pant” Harold to them.
He and his wife had three children, Larry, Lee, and Lorna.
Harold was a member of the Maine Association of Retirees, a member of Vernon Valley Masons #99 in Mt. Vernon since 1955, Cushnoc Royal Arch Chapter #3 R. S. & M, Kennebec Valley Shrine Club and Kora Temple Shrine of Lewiston. He is also a member of Penney Memorial United Baptist Church in Augusta since 1962, and a member of Vernon Valley OES #68 since 1959.
Mr. Leighton was predeceased by his wife of 57 years, Norma I. (Currier) Leighton; his two sons, Larry Harold and Lee Herbert Leighton, killed in a car accident June 6, 1978, as teenagers; three brothers, George, William and Ervin “Tunny” Leighton; three sisters, Edna Hall, Mary Meader and June Rackliff
He is survived by his daughter, Lorna Leighton-Gidney and her husband Andrew of Augusta; two grandsons, Drew and Leighton Gidney; many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
“You left us beautiful memories. Your love is still our guide and though we cannot see you, you will always be by our side.”
Relatives and friends may visit on Sunday, Oct. 27, from 1 – 4 p.m. at Plummer Funeral Home, 16 Pleasant St., Augusta, where a Masonic service will take place at 3 p.m. A funeral service will be held on Monday, Oct. 28, at 10 a.m at Penney Memorial United Baptist Church, Water St., Augusta. Burial and committal prayers will follow in the family lot in Stevens Cemetery, North Road, Mt. Vernon.
The family would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to the staff at the Maine Veterans Home, Augusta for the care, respect and compassion they showed to Dad during his time in their care. He will always be remembered by A “Big Harold Hello” to all he greeted!
Condolences, stories, and photos may be shared through the funeral home website at: http://www.plummerfh.com.
Donations in Harold’s memory can be made to:
Travis Mills Foundation
647 Castle Island Rd.
Mt. Vernon, ME 04352 or:
American Heart
Association
51 US Route One Suite M
Scarborough, ME 04074
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