1925 – 2016

AUBURN — William J. “Chick” Leahey Jr., 90, of East Avenue, Lewiston, died on Saturday, March 26, at the Hospice House in Auburn with his loving family at his side.

He was born in Lewiston on Aug. 25, 1925, the son of William and Anna (Grivois) Leahey. He graduated from Lewiston High in 1943 where he was a member of the National Honor Society and captain of the school’s undefeated football team and state champion baseball team. After graduation, Chick proudly served in the U.S. Marine Corps during World War II, including time in the Pacific Theater. After his discharge from the service, he played in the New York Yankee baseball organization farm system for several years.

With the GI Bill as an opportunity to return to an academic path to a college degree, Chick entered Bates in the fall of 1948. Because of his affiliation with professional baseball, he was ineligible to participate on varsity sports teams. He did, however, work as an assistant coach of successful Bates freshman football and baseball squads. He also played, and was playing manager, for the Auburn Asas baseball team which won championships in 1950 and 1951.

Chick graduated from Bates in 1952 with a degree in economics and went on to Columbia University to earn a master’s degree in physical education. After a brief period as a high school baseball coach and physical education instructor, he returned to Bates in 1955 as head baseball, assistant football and freshman basketball coach. During his summers, Chick directed the Poland Spring Caddy Camp and later was Head Counselor at Chewonki Camp for Boys.

For more than 35 years, Chick was an exemplary coach and mentor for Bates athletes. A passionate advocate for the Bates’ philosophy of excellence in academics and in competition, he saw to it that his players honed more than just their athletic skills. Harnessing his cheerful, easy-going demeanor, he used athletics as a means to teach his players lessons they could carry through life: the value of discipline and hard work in the classroom and on the field, leadership, sportsmanship and respect for their opinions of others.

His squads won several CBB titles, ECAC Division II and III combined championships, and appeared in multiple post-season games. In 1984, the Bobcats’ cumulative batting average and runs-per-game put them at the top of all of the nations’ Division III schools. In addition to leading his teams to success on the field Chick was singularly instrumental in banning the use of smokeless tobacco in collegiate baseball. Chick was inducted into the Maine Baseball Hall of Fame and the Auburn Lewiston Sports Hall of Fame, and Bates honored his remarkable service by naming the baseball field after him and recently retiring his number. Bates additionally honored Chick with multiple awards including the Robert Hatch Award, the Helen Papaioanou Award for Extraordinary Service to Bates and induction into the Bates Scholar Athlete Society.

Chick was an active member of St. Patrick’s Church, serving as altar server, lector, Eucharistic minister and vice president of the parish council.

He leaves his wife of 55 years, Ruth; and four children, Dr. Ann-Marie Leahey (Dr. David Vaughn), retired Col. Mark Leahey (Michele), Barbara Sullivan, retired Capt. Matthew Leahey (Melissa); seven grandchildren, Megan, Kaitlyn, Anna, Erin, Luke, Maggie and Ellie; and several nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his first wife, Yvette Tardif; brother, Wallace; and son-in law, Patrick Sullivan.

Online condolences and sharing of memories may be expressed at www.lynchbrothers.com.