Leigh E. Rich

June 1, 1924 - March 22, 2019

Leigh Rich of Bradenton, Florida passed away at home on Friday, March 22, 2019. He was born June 1, 1924 in Deckerville, Michigan, the second son of Reginald Frederick Rich and Elva (Fletcher) Rich. After graduating from Deckerville High School Leigh served in the Army Air Force and received an honorable discharge in 1946. Leigh, a World War II Veteran married Ruth M. Haag on August 17, 1947. He and Ruth made their home in Deckerville where they raised their family. Leigh was a member of several organizations including the American Legion Post in Deckerville, the Masons, the Elf Khurafeh Shriners, the Jesters and he had also served as President of the Sanilac Shrine Club. For approximately 30 years, he owned and operated a milk hauling business before being hired by Michigan Milk Producers Association in August 1977 as a Field Man. In January 1983 Leigh was promoted to Area Supervisor, a position he held until he retired on January 1, 1990. Leigh and his wife Ruth spent much of their spare time and vacations over the years traveling and were “Snowbirds” in Florida where they permanently relocated to Bradenton in 2001. They were members of the Bradenton Free Methodist Church. Leigh was preceded in death by both of his brothers: his older brother, Harry Rich on October 9, 1994 and most recently his younger brother, Gerald (Jerry) Rich on August 8, 2017, and son-in-law Gerald Bigaj on November 14, 1990 (Sharon). He was survived by his wife, Ruth, and is survived and dearly missed by his three children, Sharon (David Quick) of Boston, New York, Randy (Carol Smuda) of Bonney Lake, Washington, and Cathy (Rick Volpatti) of Bradenton, Florida, and four grandchildren, Alex and Spencer Rich, Dannylle Trepkoski, and Mychal Procida, a sister-in-law, Mrs. Gerald (Lillian) Rich, as well as several nieces and nephews and dear friends. A joint memorial service for Leigh and his wife Ruth is scheduled for September 11, 2019 at Downing Cemetery in Deckerville at 11:00 AM and a reception will follow at Liberty Lanes in Sandusky. Memorials in Leigh and Ruth’s names can be directed to the Shriners Hospital for Children or the Alzheimer’s Association. Arrangements are being handled by the Apsey Funeral Home where condolences may be sent on-line to apseyfuneralhome.net