Obituary of Henry H. Leigh

Henry H. Leigh, 68 of Searsport, died at Waldo County General Hospital, with his beloved wife Meggy by his side on Friday, January 19, 2018 after an unexpected and shocking diagnosis of multiple myeloma one week earlier. He was able to have his family by his side since he had been hospitalized and it was a great comfort to him. Henry was born in Cleveland, Ohio February 24, 1949. He grew up in Ohio, and also lived in New York. He received his Bachelor of Science Degree from Hobart College and his MBA from Ohio University where he went on to teach Business Math. He moved his family to Camden in 1983 where he opened accounting offices there and Rockland. He was an amazing master woodworker, photographer, weaver, engraver and artist. His love for his craft led him to work at Cold Mountain Builders in Belfast. He was a Board member and Treasurer with the Maine Chapter of the American Chestnut Foundation and a member of several animal welfare organizations. Henry's greatest joy was his children Avery, Jenny and Hartley. Times spent with them playing hockey on Hosmer Pond, skiing at the Snowbowl and swimming and hiking at Megunticook Lake and the Camden Hills were his fondest memories. His children were his life and when his son Avery was killed in an automobile accident in 1993, the community rallied around he and Candace and Jenny and Hartley. This was never forgotten and his gratitude and love for those who showered the family with support and gifts was forever in his heart (and ours). Mother Earth lost one of her finest stewards with Henry's passing. His love for the earth was evident in his care for her. Dawn seen over the beach was one of his favorite photographs along with his genius in capturing just the right light and shadows for the Mountain he loved. His involvement with the Maine Chapter of the American Chestnut Foundation was another great joy for him. He loved to go with his friend Welles and plant the young trees and encouraged their sale with friends and neighbors. Looking at some of his plantings it is evident his careful attention to their placement made them grow. His gardening skills provided his family with the best of nature's bounty and people would stop and photograph our garden and comment at it's size and beauty. He would point to the burros and thank them for producing the black gold. When he sat down at his craft as a woodworker it was with impeccable care and love for the wood he worked with. A labor of love he would call it and how evident that was. Every detail was perfect. One of his favorite pieces was a shelf made out of driftwood. He loved picking up lavender and teal sea glass as he walked with Meggy and the dogs while he carried his new found treasures of wood home to his shop. His love for all sentient beings was evident in the way he cared for all the animals in his life. When he met Meggy she came complete with two rescued burros, 3 dogs and 6 cats and a rescued pet mouse. He loved and cared for them with the same enthusiasm as he did his human children. Ever the doting father, he signed every birthday, Christmas and special occasion card with all of their names. He cared for the ducks and the squirrels and the birds and provided food and water for the stray cat who would come to visit. He even provided oxygen to his cat Hymny on the way to the emergency vet. No animal need fear being cared for while Henry was around. Henry was predeceased by his parents Henry M. Leigh and Mildred F. Leigh, of Camden and Belfast, his son Avery Leigh of Camden and his ex-wife Candace of Ohio. He is survived by his wife Meggy Morrison-Leigh, his son Hartley Leigh and his son Zyphen of Ohio, his daughter Jennifer Leigh, her husband Nathan Kridler and their children Avary and Violet of Ohio, sister Elizabeth and her husband Charles Buell of Appleton and their children Sara, Constance, Noah and Margaret, his brother in law George Morrison of Connecticut, two close Cousins Carolyn Patterson of New York and Ted Leigh of New Hampshire and their families, his childhood friend Welles Thurber of Northport and his so beloved fur children Mattie, Morgan, Himley, Pookah and Pipppy. Whenever anyone would hear Henry's name mentioned they would say what a gentle, sweet soul he was. He was a good man and his son Hartley said he left him the greatest gift -how to be a good person. Rest in peace that this world could not provide dearest, sweet, gentle soul. Until we meet again....... Henry will be buried at Seaview Cemetery in Rockport in the Spring and an announcement will be made prior to that so that friends may attend the memorial service there. The family would like to thank the the wonderful nursing staff and hospitalists at the Med Surg Unit and Reverend Jean Ashland at Waldo County General Hospital for their compassionate care of not only Henry but the family. Memorial donations in Henry's name may be made to METACF (Maine Chapter of the American Chestnut Foundation) 82 Annis Lane, Camden, ME 04843 and/or The Soi Dog Foundation, @www.soidog.org/content/make-donation