LESLIE H. SPAULDINGRETIRED ASST. CHIEF, NEWTON FIRE DEPT.Leslie Hall Spaulding, 79, a lifelong Newton resident, died Thurs. Jan. 2, 2003 at Oak Knoll Nursing Home in Framingham after a lengthy illness.Born in Newton, he was educated in the Newton School system. He served as a Signalman 2nd Class in the U.S. Navy during WW II, and was a Aviation Cadet. He served in the Navy of Occupation in Japan at the close of hostilities. Following his discharge he obtained his private pilots license at Norwood Airport. He was appointed to the Newton Fire Department in Oct. 1946 and served on Ladder 3, and appointed Lt. of Engine 7 in May 1959. In 1976 he became Capt. at engine 8, and was appointed as Assistant Chief and the Departments Drill Chief in 1979. He retired in 1985. Mr. Spaulding was a Licensed Electrician and Ham radio operator. He was a member of Dalhousie Lodge A. F. & A.M. of Newton, the Aleppo Temple Shrine, American Legion Post 440 of Newton, the Professional Firefighters of Mass., and the Mass Fire Trainers Assoc. of Mass. He was an avid golfer and fisherman and enjoyed camping and spending time with his family and grandchildren.Husband of the late Loretta Katherine (Zinko) Spaulding, he is survived by his daughter Gail M. Spaulding Copp of Concord, VT, his sons Donald P. Spaulding and his wife Ann of Natick, James A. Spaulding and his wife Alice of Framingham, and John L. Spaulding and his wife Corey of Framingham. He is also survived by his grandchildren Kathryn Spaulding, Donald Paul Spaulding Jr., and Chad Nelson of Framingham. Mr. Spaulding is also survived by his sisters Edith Turner of Marshfield and Ruth Morey of Lincoln, and his companion Stella Myshrall of Needham.He was the son of the late Ralph H. and Florence (Bouret) Spaulding, and brother of the late Kenneth L. Spaulding and Paul F. “Fred” Spaulding.A funeral service will be held on Mon. Jan 6, 2003 at 11 AM in the United Methodist Church of Newton 430 Walnut St. Newtonville. Interment will follow at Newton Cemetery. Visiting hours will be held on Sunday Jan 5, 2003 from 3-7 PM in the Eaton & Mackay Funeral Home 465 Centre St. Newton Corner.Memorials in his name may be made to the Shriners Hospital for Children 51 blossom St. Boston, MA 02144.