William E. Leathersich, Sr., age 79 years, formerly of Caledonia, Geneseo, and Canaseraga, NY died June 25, 2003 at the age of 79, at the Leroy Village Green Nursing Home, where he was a patient for the past six weeks after having congestive heart failure, and pneumonia.

   He was born December 18, 1923, in Scottsville, NY. He was the older of two sons, born to Edward E. Leathersich and Marguerite (nee Maxwell) Leathersich. He has a brother James F. Leathersich and his wife Joan, of Maxwell Road, Caledonia. He attended the one room school house on South Road in Wheatland, NY until he began attending the Caledonia High School after his elementary education.

   He was a farmer and worked the first 47 years of his life for his father Edward Leathersich on the family farms he grew up upon in the Caledonia, Avon and York areas. He was later employed at various sales positions for farm related products, such as Curtis-Knoll Nut and Bolt Company, and Central Petroleum Oil and Paint Company of Cleveland, Ohio.

   He married Jean M. Cassidy (Bonnie) on October 15, 1949.  They were married 46 years until "Bonnie" passed away in 1995, while they were living in Canaseraga, NY. Together they had three children: son, William, Jr. and his wife, Linda of LeRoy, NY; daughter, Patricia and her husband, David Drake, of Naples, NY; and son, David of York, NY. There are 10 grandchildren, and 9 great grandchildren

   Together they lived on the family farm, and in 1966 built the home at 782 Lacey Road, Caledonia. In 1978 they moved to Geneseo to live in the family cottage on Conesus Lake. In 1990 they purchased a home in Canaseraga, NY.

   "Bill" had his own sporting goods and hunting supplies business located at the family home in Caledonia. He was a former member of the Caledonia Fire Department and was a member of the Pomona Grange.

   He was an avid sportsman/hunter all his life, and involved himself with many hunting, fishing, and trapping clubs. He was a founding member of the Westwoods Fish and Game Club, on the board of directors and a former President of the New York State Trapper's Association. He was also a member of the Taylor Hunt Club, which has been active in the Caledonia area since the late 1800's.

   He also was active in auto racing, being a member of numerous regional car enthusiast clubs. He would work many racing events at Watkins Glen International Speedway. He was the founder of the Susquehannock Trail Pro-Rally, that is run in the Wellsboro, Pennsylvania area forest.

   Friends and family called on Saturday June 28, 2003 at the home of William, Jr. at 8669 North Road between 2-4pm followed by a meal. Interment will be at a later date in the Mumford Rural Cemetery where he will be laid to rest with his wife, Bonnie.