1930
James
2006
James F. Leland
July 5, 1930 — March 6, 2006
RUTLAND – James F. Leland, Sr., 75, of Rutland, passed away on Monday, March 6, 2006, in Memorial Hospital with his loving wife of 53 years, Driane (Grenier) Leland, by his side.
Jim, as he was known to all, was born and raised in Worcester, son of James B. and Celeste (Gagnon) Leland. He lived in Princeton for many years before moving to Rutland in 1985. He is survived by his wife Driane; two sons, Bruce K. Leland of Palmyra, Virginia and Matthew B. Leland and his fiancé Melissa of Rutland; two daughters, Suzanne T. Ayler and her husband Charles of Holden and Christine H. Westerlind and her husband David of Rutland; 10 grandchildren, Sara, Erica, Kerri-Nicole, Timothy, Beatrice, James III, Casey, Tess, Kaleb and Mackenzie; and a great-grandson, Ryan. He was predeceased by his son, James F. Leland, Jr.; two brothers and a sister.
A graduate of Worcester’s Classical High School, Jim received his teaching degree and Master’s of Education from Worcester State College. He began his 38-year teaching career for the Worcester Public Schools in 1953, retiring from Chandler Magnet as Assistant Principal in 1991. He served on the Wachusett Regional School Committee for 17 years, several years as chairman. He owned and operated Rockhurst Antiques with his wife for the past 25 years. He was a member of the Education Association of Worcester, Massachusetts Teachers Association, Massachusetts Association of School Committee Members, Massachusetts and New England Horseman’s Council, and the Alhambra Council of the Knights of Columbus. He enjoyed antiques, art, horses and traveling throughout the U.S. and Canada. He was the happiest when spending time with his family and friends especially his grandchildren.
The funeral for Jim will be held on Friday, March 10, from the Miles Funeral Home, 1158 Main Street (Rte. 122A), Holden, with a Mass at 10 a.m. in Prince of Peace Church, 1 Worcester Road (Rte. 31), Princeton. Calling hours are from 5 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, March 9, in the funeral home. Jim will be laid to rest in the spring in Woodlawn Cemetery, Princeton, next to his son be loved James F. Leland, Jr. Memorial contributions may be made to the NICU at UMass-Memorial, 119 Belmont Street, Worcester, MA 01605; or Heifer Project International, Barn Rebuilding Fund, 216 Wachusett Street, Rutland, MA 01543.
Website & Guestbook: www.milesfuneralhome.com
Jim, as he was known to all, was born and raised in Worcester, son of James B. and Celeste (Gagnon) Leland. He lived in Princeton for many years before moving to Rutland in 1985. He is survived by his wife Driane; two sons, Bruce K. Leland of Palmyra, Virginia and Matthew B. Leland and his fiancé Melissa of Rutland; two daughters, Suzanne T. Ayler and her husband Charles of Holden and Christine H. Westerlind and her husband David of Rutland; 10 grandchildren, Sara, Erica, Kerri-Nicole, Timothy, Beatrice, James III, Casey, Tess, Kaleb and Mackenzie; and a great-grandson, Ryan. He was predeceased by his son, James F. Leland, Jr.; two brothers and a sister.
A graduate of Worcester’s Classical High School, Jim received his teaching degree and Master’s of Education from Worcester State College. He began his 38-year teaching career for the Worcester Public Schools in 1953, retiring from Chandler Magnet as Assistant Principal in 1991. He served on the Wachusett Regional School Committee for 17 years, several years as chairman. He owned and operated Rockhurst Antiques with his wife for the past 25 years. He was a member of the Education Association of Worcester, Massachusetts Teachers Association, Massachusetts Association of School Committee Members, Massachusetts and New England Horseman’s Council, and the Alhambra Council of the Knights of Columbus. He enjoyed antiques, art, horses and traveling throughout the U.S. and Canada. He was the happiest when spending time with his family and friends especially his grandchildren.
The funeral for Jim will be held on Friday, March 10, from the Miles Funeral Home, 1158 Main Street (Rte. 122A), Holden, with a Mass at 10 a.m. in Prince of Peace Church, 1 Worcester Road (Rte. 31), Princeton. Calling hours are from 5 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, March 9, in the funeral home. Jim will be laid to rest in the spring in Woodlawn Cemetery, Princeton, next to his son be loved James F. Leland, Jr. Memorial contributions may be made to the NICU at UMass-Memorial, 119 Belmont Street, Worcester, MA 01605; or Heifer Project International, Barn Rebuilding Fund, 216 Wachusett Street, Rutland, MA 01543.
Website & Guestbook: www.milesfuneralhome.com
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