Donald T. Leyland passed away Friday evening, September 16, 2005 in Bangor, Maine after a brief stay at the Maine Veterans’ Home. He was born November 29, 1919 in Lexington, Massachusetts; son of Thomas Leyland and Kathryn O’Leary Leyland.
He was a proud veteran of WW II. Don served in the US Army from 1940 to 1945 in the Asiatic Pacific Theatre. He began his service as an enlisted man in a light artillery pack mule outfit. At the time of his discharge he was a commissioned officer and parachute infantry unit commander. He earned battle ribbons at Guadalcanal, Luzon and in the liberation of the Philippines. As a member of the 11th Airborne Division, he served in the 187th Para-Glider Regiment. The parachute infantry company that he commanded was part of the 700 man unit selected to spearhead the occupation of Japan in preparation for the arrival of General MacArthur in 1945. This elite unit had the distinction of being the first foreign soldiers on Japanese soil in more than 2000 years. Don never tired of recounting stories of his Army service “from pack mules to paratroopers”.
After the War, he married Laurelle Temple in 1947. They settled in Wellesley and raised their three children. His passion for service continued through the years; he served as PTA President, Boy Scoutmaster, and Wellesley Town Meeting Member. Don was a past commander of the VFW Post 5190 in Wellesley, Massachusetts. In Labelle, Florida he was an active member of VFW Post 10100 and past commander of American Legion Post 130, where he was fondly known as “Uncle Don”. In recognition of his many hours of service to veterans’ causes and organizations, he was awarded life memberships in both the VFW and the American Legion.
In recent years he has made his home with his daughter JoAnn in Wellesley.
Above all, Don will be remembered for his keen intellect, boundless energy, and undying passion for life. In his words, “I’ve had a wonderful life.” He lived it to the fullest, and called it as he saw it, right to the very end. The world is a better place because he has passed through it.
He is survived by his daughter JoAnn Jones and her husband Peter of Wellesley, his son David and wife Carol of Palmyra, Maine and a son-in-law, Brian Lavelle of Hawaii. He is also survived by five grandchildren and two very special great grandsons, Kyle and Eric. He was predeceased by his daughter Nancy Leyland Lavelle, his first wife and mother of his children Laurelle Temple Leyland, and his second wife Judy Schultz Leyland.
A memorial service will be held at the George F. Doherty & Sons Funeral Home 477 Washington St., (Rt.16) Wellesley, on Monday, September 26, 2005 at 8:30 PM with a military tribute. Relatives and friends are kindly invited. Visiting hours will be Monday evening from 7-9 PM. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Natick VFW Post 1274, 109 West Central St. Natick, MA 01760.