John W. Leece

John W. Leece was born May 15th 1936 and passed away peacefully on May 15th 2022 on his 86th Birthday. Born in Detroit, Michigan and raised in Saginaw Michigan, Jack’s parents were Perry Curtis and Mildred Leece and brother Curtis. Jack attended college at Michigan College of Mining and Technology earning a degree in Civil Engineering. He made many lifelong friends through his fraternity Sigma Rho. He began a courtship with his wife Patrieva Gail Dinse during these college years and they were married on June 21, 1958 in Saginaw. Within days of the wedding they packed their car and moved to California where Jack started his career with the State of California Bridge department where he was employed as a civil engineer working on bridge projects across the state. Settling in Santa Barbara he then worked at U.S. Grant and Son and soon after started his own engineering firm J.W. Leece Engineering. While in Santa Barbara, Jack and Pat had their 5 children, Linda, David, Robert, Michael and Mark. After a move to Solvang and then to Roseville, Jack finished his career building “spec” homes and doing contract engineering work. Jack was ever the engineer with many do it yourself remodel and home improvement projects, helping his kids with their interests whether it be building model rockets or skate ramps and everything in between. Jack and Pat always enjoyed good times with friends and each other with many dinner clubs, tennis groups and church activities frequenting the calendar. Jack enjoyed and prioritized vacations with the family with regular summer trips to Tahoe and Shaver Lake which resulted in many boating adventures and memories. In later years Jack and Pat were able to enjoy cruises and additional travel to visit friends and family.

Jack is survived by his wife, Patrieva, children Linda Snyder (Phil), David (Dede), Robert (Jenny), Michael (Jenifer), Mark, (Cathy) grandchildren Christy, Daniel, Jonathan, Michael, Stephen, Ian, Irvin, George, Elizabeth, Leah, Christopher, Megan, Hannah, Zoe and great grandchildren, Oliver, Elijah, Alexander, David, Juliana and Gael.

A Celebration of Life Service will be Saturday, July 9, 2022 at 11 am at Hope Lutheran Church, 8005 San Gabriel Road, Atascadero, CA with a reception following.

In lieu of flowers, the family would direct any donations in his memory to Jack and Pat’s home church, Hope Lutheran of Atascadero at https://www.ourhopelutheran.net/give indicating on the “Write a note” tab “Jack Leece memorial”.