NEW SHARON – Leslie R. Nightingale, 68, of New Sharon passed away unexpectedly at his home on Thursday, May 10.

He was born Feb. 20, 1939, in New Sharon, the son of Herbert L. and Methel (Harris) Nightingale. He attended New Sharon schools graduating in 1957, further studies in the college of life, graduating at the top of his class.

He worked at the Wilton Tannery, Sawyer Sheet Metal, and Norris Preble Plumbing & Heating. He married Dixie Holt in New Sharon in 1960. He enjoyed donating his time to the Mount Philip Grange in Rome, loved to go for rides, building projects, gardening, hunting, fishing, cookouts, and spending time with his family, especially his granddaughter, Emily.

He is survived by his wife of 46 years, Dixie; his daughter, Lynn Nightingale of Rome; his sons, Randy Nightingale, and his wife, Annie, of New Sharon and Gary Nightingale, and his companion, Deb Walsh, of Rome; a granddaughter, Emily, of Rome; a stepgrandson, Collins Kennedy Jr.; three stepgreat-grandchildren, Sabrina, Caitlin and Rebecka Kennedy; a sister, Donna Lane of New Sharon; and many nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his parents; his sister, Elizabeth Cranton; and two brothers, Stanley and Carroll Nightingale.