Leigh Francis Leadbetter

Auburn- Longtime baker, Leigh F. Leadbetter, 71, a corvette enthusiasts, horse lover, and former supervisor for the Northern Arizona Public Transportation Authority (NAPTA), went to be with the saints on May 31, 2014. He was currently living in Danville Junction in Auburn, and was active until the last eight weeks of his life. The son of James and Ruth (Gilman) Leadbetter, he was born in Portland Maine on August 1, 1942. He was a third generation baker at Leadbetter’s bakery. Leigh served in the Navy, as a navigator on the USS Shangri-La, and was present at the Bay of Pigs Invasion. After an honorable discharge in 1962 he came back to the family bakery, which was started by his grandmother Nancy Leadbetter in 1937, becoming the owner and operator.

In 2003 Leigh retired from the bakery business and he and his wife Sharon moved to Sedona Arizona. Desiring a career change Leigh gained employment with NAPTA as a tourist bus driver through one of the most stunning towns in the U.S. After only two years driving Leigh was promoted to the position of supervisor of an expanding public bus service between Cottonwood and Sedona AZ. He enjoyed this job more than anything he had ever done. Strangers soon became friends to Leigh, and a chance encounter in the produce section of Safeway Grocery Store could prompt an invitation for drinks and conversation. He never lost his sense of humor keeping it to the very end.

He was an active member of the Tuttle Road United Methodist Church in Cumberland, and during his time in Arizona faithfully attended Mountain View United Methodist Church in Cottonwood.

He is survived by his wife Sharon of 17 years, his children Judi and her wife Sawyer of Vermont, Jodi and her husband Corey of Indiana, Stephanie and her wife Dawn of Alaska, Melanie and her husband Richard of New Hampshire, Jamieson and his wife Emmy of California, his stepchildren, George and his wife Melissa, Phil and his wife Lisa, Jerry and his wife Lori, Elizabeth and her husband Miguel, and Julie and her husband Bill, and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister Martha Porch and her husband Herb.

Family and friends are invited to attend a time of visitation on Thursday, June 12, 2014 from 4-7 PM at Lindquist Funeral Home, 1 Mayberry Lane, Yarmouth. A memorial service will be held on Friday, June 13, 2014 at 11:00 AM at Tuttle Rd. United Methodist Church, 52 Tuttle Rd, Cumberland Ctr, ME.

In Lieu of flowers donations can be made in Leigh’s memory to the Mountain View United Methodist Men’s Group, 901 South 12th Street, Cottonwood, Arizona 86326.