STEUBEN — On Easter Sunday, April 16, Homer Curtis Leighton passed peacefully from this world. He was the beloved husband of Elizabeth (Vogel) Leighton.
Homer was born in Nashua, N.H., on Nov. 21, 1928, to Vernon and Isabelle Ruth (Hamel) Leighton.
He received his early education in Nashua and graduated from Nashua High School in 1946. He decided to enlist in the U.S. Marine Corps and spent time as a propeller mechanic at Cherry Point, N.C.
He received a diploma in advertising design from the New England School of Art in Boston. He also graduated from the University of Rhode Island with a degree in mechanical engineering.
He retired from a position as product engineer at the AT&T Corp. in North Andover, Mass.
In 1999, he retired with his wife, Betty, to his favorite spot in Maine and to some of his favorite people, including his cousin Billy Leighton. His fondness for Steuben began early in his life. At the age of 6 months his mother took him by train from Boston to Steuben to visit his grandparents. This would be the first of many trips to Steuben. This endeared Homer to the way of life along Tunk Stream, which he later shared with his children and grandchildren. During retirement he traveled with Betty and their lifelong friends, the Nelsons, to California, Florida and Hawaii.
Homer enjoyed his grandchildren greatly and especially loved to read with them, perform magic tricks, give big hugs and instruct them in the art of bicycle riding and everything else. He told them about one of his favorite jobs in his youth, ushering at a movie house in Nashua, where he came to love classic films.
He was a member of the Steuben Historical Society. An avid book collector, Homer was a seeker of knowledge. He had an exhibit of his paintings that included portraits, scenic watercolors and acrylics at the H.D. Moore Library in Steuben in 2014.
In addition to his wife, Homer is survived by his son Jonathan and wife, Margaret, son Jeffrey and wife, Susan, son James and wife, Carolyn, and daughter Rebecca and husband, Matthew Meier. He also leaves 10 grandchildren and one great-grandson: Andrew and Brandon Leighton, Chelsea Hyde, Emily and Mackenzie Leighton, Jeanmarie Leighton and Amelia Galloza, Liza, Mary and Isabelle Meier, Jacob Galloza. He was predeceased by his sister Verna Leighton Ysewyn and is survived by her husband, Charles Ysewyn, and four nieces and a nephew and their families.
Burial will be at the convenience of the family.
Memorial donations may be made to the Henry D. Moore Parish House and Library, 22 Village Rd., P.O. Box 127, Steuben, ME 04680.
If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer. Let him step to the music which he hears, however measured or far away.
— Henry David Thoreau
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