M. Leigh Litchfield passed peacefully on Monday, Feb. 12. He was surrounded by his beloved wife Molly (Brekke), loving friends, and extraordinary Beth Israel nurses Jean and Jen, as well as Dr. Cara Barker.
Leigh was born in York, Maine, and raised in Carlisle, MA. He worked for Concord Littleton Lumber Corporation for 42 years, rising through the ranks from sweeping the floors, driving trucks, managing operations, and ending up in the corner office as president.
Affectionately known as Leigh-man, he was always up for a conversation. His presence/essence was sincerity and kindness. He always took the time to get to know people. Leigh was blessed with an abundance of friends who respected him, but more important, liked and loved him.
While Leigh and Molly didn’t have kids of their own, Leigh was a fixture in so many kids’ lives. From Concord Lumber employees’ kids running up the stairs to see Leigh, to watching kids grow up on the beaches of Hatterass – Leigh had a way with kids. He was a constant presence of fun, silliness, and safety in the Blake’s Hill neighborhood. He will be remembered as the guy who could help pick up kids from school, play a game of catch, razz and tease, and organize the yearly kids’ Christmas pinata parties. As with adults, Leigh always loved to try out new jokes and puns – 10-year-old Megan Walter once said, “Leigh-man you are so not funny, you’re funny!!”
All canines loved Leigh. From Beau, Bella, and Buddy to all the dogs at Redbrook, he was the “Dog-man.” Not a dog could go by without a treat, scratch, and an inevitable conversation with their “mom or dad.” He had a remarkable soul with all his four-legged creatures.
He will be deeply missed by his sister Charline Baron and her husband Jon; sisters-in-law Jan and Linda; nieces Jess, Rachel, Kristy, Nicole, Ashley; nephews Brad and Greg; and all his Maine cousins. Molly’s sisters, Karen and Karla, brother PJ, brother-in-law Jeff, nieces Laura and Annie, and nephew Rob, adored Leigh, and will always remember him as the best thing Molly ever brought home to Ohio.
A celebration of life is being planned for March 9, from 9 a.m. to noon at the Redbrook Cranberry Coffee Corner. Bring your dog, have a Pepsi, a cup of coffee, and a muffin to celebrate this wonderful man.