Obituary
Franklin C. Leisey, peacefully passed away surrounded by his children and favorite fur-baby, Mr. Wilson in Ormond Beach, FL. He was 88 years old. Franklin was born in Philadelphia, PA, his mother was Martha Pfaff and his father Harry Leisey Sr. After his military service to his country, he married Bettie J Lethig, who pre-deceased him. He started his Electrical Engineering business, Metro Instrument Laboratories and moved to Sewell NJ to raise his 8 children.
In the 70s, he and Bettie, moved the family to Wellsboro, PA where he built a home on 150 acres of farmland. He loved to travel. He and his wife Bettie, traveled the country with their youngest son and visited all 48 contiguous states in a renovated RV. The RV was their pet project, and the trip was a journey of a lifetime. Following their trip, they settled in Asheville, NC then retired to Ocala, FL and finally settling in Ormond Beach, FL moving in with their daughter, Barbara.
Frank was a master craftsman, and he used his talent to build and repair horse drawn carriages for many collectors including those up on Mackinaw Island, MI and in England. A very proud moment was when Frank built the carriage that was used by his daughter, Barbara, at her wedding. Frank also built the caisson used for Senator Jesse Helms’ funeral procession. He was a member of Port Orange Ship Modelers Club and participated in many community activities with the club, introducing model boat building to children. Several of his models are on display at Halifax Harbor Marina, Daytona Beach, FL.
He enjoyed watching BattleBots with his son Art, taking DeeDee to Wanamakers to buy mom’s Christmas present, attending the weddings of his grandchildren, and planning trips to the beach with Barbara. He loved talking about sailing with Ken but confessed that he would get seasick if we ever went sailing. He also went to farmland auctions, including the one in Troy with Gerry when they bought his pony Kadie L. During his RV trip that included Sterling, Frank loved going to water parks and was always the first one up on the highest water slide. He was an avid card player and played Pinocle and Texas Hold ‘em with Bettie, and his in-laws, Linda and Carl Gilbert. Frank always enjoyed taking drives with Barbara and listening to 50s music.
He raised eight children, and is survived by Linda Craig, his eldest, and her husband, Doc, of Bradenton, FL, Frank Leisey, Jr. of Williamsport, PA, Deborah Hendrickson and her husband, Gary, of Camillus, NY, Arthur Leisey of Daytona Beach, FL ,Barbara Pucci of Ormond Beach, FL, Kenneth Leisey and his wife, Monica, of Salem, MA, Gerald Leisey and his wife, Angie, of Canton, NC and Sterling Leisey and his wife, Christy, of Fairview, NC. He is also survived by many grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Baldwin Brothers Funeral Home is providing arrangements.
Services will be private.
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