Obituary of Charles Leysa

Charles Leysa Charles J. Leysa, age 75, of Millcreek Twp., died suddenly on Tuesday, December 23, 2008 at St. Vincent Health Center. He was born in Erie on August 15, 1933, the son of the late, John Leysa and Rose Machalinski Leysa Costello. Mr. Leysa was formerly employed by the Dept. of the Army; he had a total of three years of active military service and European overseas active duty and twenty eight years with the Army Reserve. Mr. Leysa was a member of the American Legion Post 771 and a life member of VFW Post 470 where he served as Chaplain. He was a life member of the 28th Division A.E.F. and the Retired Enlisted Association. Mr. Leysa enjoyed playing the accordion, dancing and working on any kind of vehicle. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Geraldine Quick Leysa. He is survived by his wife Joan Tucker Leysa, one daughter, Catherine McDonough of Las Vegas, NV, two step sisters, Dorothy and Maryann of Erie, and cousins in Erie and Pittsburgh. Also surviving are one step-son, Gary Tucker, and two step-daughters, Andrea Stiles of AZ, and Joanne Gemmati (Peter) of Orchard Park, NY. Friends may call at the Dusckas-Martin Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc. 4216 Sterrettania Rd. on Friday, December 26 from 5 to 8 p.m. and are invited to Blessed Sacrament R.C. Church on Saturday, December 27 at 11:00 a.m. for a Mass of Christian Burial. Private inurnment Erie County Memorial Gardens. Memorial contributions may be made to the Erie City Mission, 1017 French St, Erie, PA 16501 or to the charity of one's choice.