Gary J. Leanna

HOLDEN – Gary J. Leanna, 50, a loving father, son and brother, passed away peacefully at home on Wednesday, February 27, 2019. Born in Worcester and raised in Rutland, Gary was the son of Gary W. and Sandra M. (Rocheford) Leanna and lived the last 18 years in Holden.

He was a 1986 graduate of Wachusett Regional High School in Holden. Gary held a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Massachusetts in Amherst and a master’s degree in biomedical engineering from Worcester Polytechnic Institute. He worked as a fellow research and development engineer at Boston Scientific in Marlborough for the last 22 years. Gary’s research in biomedicine has saved countless lives. He was granted many patents by the USPTO including a rapid exchange external stent delivery system, an apparatus for loading and delivering a stent, devices and methods for treating a lung, just to name a few, and has even more patents pending.

Gary was known for his quick wit. He was adventurous and had a wide variety of interests. He ran Spartan races, was an avid Tom Brady/Patriots fan, played on a hurling team, traveled extensively and loved geocaching. He was always engaged in a project or two, from homemade slip-n-slides to constructing his pool deck, painting to building Nanoblocks. He loved animals and always had a house full…cats, guinea pigs and even bearded dragons. First and foremost, Gary loved spending time with his daughters. Some of their fondest memories spent with dad are of traveling all over the map to waterparks and building a treehouse in their backyard.

Besides his parents, Gary and Sandra of Rutland, Gary will be affectionately remembered and missed by his two beloved daughters, Kyra M. and Piper B. Leanna both of Holden; his brother, Dean M. Leanna and his wife, Kimberly and their daughter, Sydney all of Sturbridge; his former wife, Shelley A. (Desroches) Baker of Holden; and many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.

Relatives and friends are invited to visit with Gary’s family from 5 to 8 pm on Tuesday, March 5th, at Miles Funeral Home, 1158 Main St., Holden. A funeral service honoring and celebrating his life will be held at 11 am on Wednesday, March 6th, at the funeral home. Interment will follow at Kizer Cemetery in Northborough. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Worcester Animal Rescue League, 139 Holden St., Worcester, MA 01606. To share a memory or offer a condolence, please visit the "Tribute Wall" on this page.