Major ‘Maj’ Leckie
Major “Maj” Leckie, 91, of Leander, Texas, and formerly of Holmes Beach, died Feb. 26.
He was born Oct. 4, 1931, to Beatrice (Fairlamb) and Robert G. Leckie.
He resided in Saginaw, Michigan, most of his life. Following his graduation from Arthur Hill High School in 1949, he attended Albion College before enlisting in the U.S. Navy. He became a Navy Hospital Corpsman HM1 on the hospital ship USS Haven, stationed in Korea for three years.
Upon receiving his honorable discharge, he enrolled in the University of Michigan, where he graduated with a degree in business administration in 1958.
On Nov. 19, 1954, he married Pamela Price of Saginaw and they subsequently had three daughters — Karen, Elizabeth, and Melissa.
Mr. Leckie was employed in medical sales and Admissions at Saginaw Valley State University. He was a member of the First Congregational Church in Saginaw and Roser Memorial Community Church in Anna Maria. He was a past member the Saginaw Club, the Germania Club, the Rotary Club and most recently the Kiwanis Club of Anna Maria Island.
Through the years in Saginaw and Florida, he was involved with numerous civic organizations, including chairman of the board of Saginaw Art Museum and PRIDE and the PRIDE Christmas Parade, serving as grand marshal.
Additionally, he served Pit and Balcony Community Theater and the University of Michigan Saginaw M Club Chapter. He served on the board of the Saginaw Club, Kiwanis Club, Friday Night Live Committee and Ethic Festival. He was an active member of the Gus Macker 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament, the Saginaw Celebration Square Children’s Zoo. First Congregational Church Saginaw and Roser Church in Anna Maria. He was commander of Korean War Veterans-Chapter 251.
He was known for his warm, outgoing personality and all who knew him were instantly a friend. He loved people and was interested in what was happening in their lives. He truly will be missed by his family and many friends.
A family memorial service is planned for March 10 in Leander. Memorial donations may be made to Kiwanis Club of Anna Maria Island, the BUGS program at paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=SQHM2ZWWGZLMC or to the Roser Church Food Pantry, P.O. Box 247, Anna Maria, FL 34216, or a charity of your choice.
Mr. Leckie is survived by his wife of 68 years, Pamela Price; daughters Karen Merrill Leckie Lewis and husband Dr. Colin Ross of Leander, Texas, Elizabeth Garrett Leckie Hunting of Rockford, Michigan, and Melissa Gene, Olivet, Michigan; grandchildren Major and wife Lauren Lewis, Grant and wife Jennifer Lewis, Stephanie Lewis Wolslager, Spencer and wife Katie Hunting, Erika Hunting and husband Kirk Weiss; and 15 great-grandchildren.
Thomas Q. McDonnell
Thomas Q. McDonnell, 81, of Anna Maria Island, formerly of East Aurora, New York, died peacefully Feb. 9 from complications from Parkinson’s disease.
As a veteran of the U.S. Air Force, Mr. McDonnell served four years as an intelligence officer in Maui, Hawaii, and Biloxi, Mississippi, among other places. He achieved the rank of captain.
Upon leaving the Air Force, he began his professional career in 1969 under J. Edgar Hoover in the FBI. He served in Cincinnati, then transferred to Buffalo, New York, as a special agent fighting organized crime. He retired from the FBI in 1993.
Upon retirement, he became a private detective and, on closing his investigation business, he earned his real estate license and enjoyed a successful career selling real estate on Anna Maria Island.
He was an alumnus of the Gow School, Nichols School, St. Francis College in Pennsylvania, and earned his master’s degree from Xavier University in Cincinnati.
Mr. McDonnell was an avid golfer, playing many Western New York courses, and later, his favorite, the Key Royale Club in Holmes Beach.
A funeral service will be held on Anna Maria Island and a memorial service in East Aurora will be planned later this summer, with dates to be announced. Memorials may be made to Meals on Wheels of Western New York, 100 James E. Casey Drive, Buffalo, NY 14206-2368; or the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research; Grand Central Station, P.O. Box 4777, New York, NY 10163-4777”
Mr. McDonnell is survived by sons Thomas Jr., Edward “Ned” and wife Sarah, and Gregory and wife Robby; daughter Julia McDonnell; six grandchildren; siblings Mary, John “Hubba,” Edward and wife Ruth, Jean Covelli, Patrick, Nancy and husband Rodney Reynolds, and Peter and wife Susie.