David Howard Leake

Born on January 29, 1942 in Worcester, MA, David was the cherished only child of the late Howard F. and Beulah A. (Pollander) Leake. On June 20, 1964 he married the love of his life, Rosalind, and together they raised their son, Morgan, and daughter, Kathy.

David was deeply proud of his career in the U.S. Navy. A few years after college, he trained at Navy Officer Candidate’s School, Newport, RI, joining the Navy as an Ensign. The service brought David and Roz to Key West, FL; Coos Bay, OR; and Long Beach, CA. Following active duty, David continued his Navy career as a reservist for 21 years, reactivating on separate occasions to serve on projects in Newport, RI, and at the Pentagon. He retired from the reserves at the rank of Captain.

David earned a baccalaureate degree in public relations from Boston University. He began his career in the PR field at Bowdoin College, an institution that remained important to him throughout his life. Following his Navy service, David spent a decade at the Department of Environmental Protection for the State of Maine. One of his proudest accomplishments was his role in the 1970s cleanup of the Kennebec River. Later in his career, David joined a PR firm in Orlando, FL, before launching his own boutique firm specializing in the medical field.

Living in Orlando, David recognized the impact of the tourism industry. His entrepreneurial streak led David and a small group of friends to launch a ground transportation business. He later took a position at Walt Disney World, helping families plan their ideal vacation.

Like many is his generation, David spent his childhood in the outdoors and learning valuable skills. He joined the Civil Air Patrol, alongside his father, Howard. Both achieved the CAP rank of Major, Howard as a senior member and David as a cadet. He learned about plants and wildlife, fishing and hunting. He could sail a boat and drive a motorcycle, frame a wall, repair wiring, plumbing, and engines. He enjoyed DIY, sometimes on a large scale. On one occasion, David and Roz jacked up the foundation their 1890s-era barn that was in danger of sliding down the hill.

Dave and Roz enjoyed traveling in the U.S. including an epic 39th anniversary trip to the Grand Canyon, Las Vegas, and Hawaii. They took many road trips together over the years. Some of the most memorable were their 1969 drive from California to Maine with their toddler son; and their final big road adventure in 2024 to visit family and friends in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin.

It was in David’s nature to help people and to share his experience. His annual Christmas letters were renowned. He sought to help others manage their heart disease by chronicling his own experience in a book that he was proud to self-publish.

Above all, David was devoted to his wife and family. David and Roz married one week after graduating college, and he passed away one week before their 61st wedding anniversary. Relocating from New England to Florida in 1983 brought their kids closer to their grandparents. It brought Dave great joy that he and Roz were able to relocate one last time, late in life, to Inman, SC to reside near their son and grandchildren and spend time with them regularly. He delighted in preparing a book-length collection of advice and insight to leave behind for his grandchildren.

David is survived by his wife, Rosalind Mary (Pappalardo) Leake; his son, Morgan Leake, and his wife, Leanne, of Columbus, NC, and their children, Devon and Alexa; his daughter, Kathy (Leake) Yacullo and her husband, Mike, of Edison, NJ; his brother-in-law, Salvatore Pappalardo; and his niece, Alison Pappalardo.

In lieu of flowers, donations in David’s memory may be made to the American Heart Association.