Justin Robert Leach

Justin Robert Leach passed away on Saturday morning, September 30, 2023, after a long illness, at Mountain Valley Hospice, surrounded by the people he loved and who loved him. He was born in Gloversville on September 26, 1976, a son of Robert and Julia Marcais Leach and attended school in Gloversville and Johnstown. At age 17, Justin enrolled at FMCC with the intent of becoming a Phys. Ed. Teacher. He may not have received a degree, but he did meet a lovely Japanese student with whom he traveled to Japan. He spent his 17th summer in Japan and returned with a firm love of the language and the food. Not feeling the need to finish college, Justin became a housepainter for Saratoga Restorations, with his best friend, Steven Fountain. He enjoyed being outdoors and creating beautiful houses with Steven. As time went on, Justin returned to his first true love of cooking. He worked at several area restaurants, including House of Pizza, Italian Bistro, and the Travers Diner. Finally, he settled into Vince’s Pizza & Pasta where he remained for twenty years. His creations at Vince’s brought many faithful customers and were quite delicious. Justin experienced the pure joy of becoming a father when he and Laisha Stratton became the parents of Amarah Frances. She was the apple of his eye. Later, he and La welcomed a son, Jalen Robert, and their family was complete. Many years later, as seems to happen, Justin married and became stepfather to two beautiful little ones, Olivia Ruth Wessell and Waylon Louis Hastie. While the marriage didn’t last, the children did, and he is still their Daddy. When Justin was no longer able to work because of his declining health after twenty three years of being a brittle diabetic, he moved in with his godfather, Gerald Campanile. He and Jerry traveled extensively within the US, enjoying the planning as much as the journey. Together they visited Las Vegas, Niagara Falls, Boston, NYC (for Broadway, of course), Cooperstown (Baseball Hall of Fame), and Stockbridge, MA (to see the play Dracula, but also because they heard the food was superb at the Red Lion Inn). Locally, they enjoyed frequent trips to Saratoga, Lake George, and Glens Falls, for dinner and entertainment. Justin and Jerry also enjoyed a trip to Florida to visit Steven and Sarah Fountain. He was predeceased by his paternal grandparents, William and Evelyn Leach; his maternal grandparents, Victor and Frances Marcais; his uncles, William and Gregory Leach, Victor, Thomas, Alan, and David Marcais, and Robert Scoggins. Justin was also predeceased by Amarah and Jalen’s grandfather, Ronald Stratton, and their aunt, Mamika Stratton. Survivors include his mother, Julia (Michael) Bishop; his father, Robert (Sharon) Leach; his children, Amarah, Jalen, Olivia, and Waylon; a sister, Breana Bishop; five stepbrothers, Ronald, Russell, Christopher, Kevin, and Kyle Anderson; and two half-sisters, Bobbi Simmons and Catherine Leach. He is also survived by several aunts and uncles, including Mary Marcais, who is also Justin’s godmother, Lucille Strait, Janet Betler, Bertie Blowers, Evelyn and Sylvia Leach, Victoria Smith, Michael (Alice) Leach, Tom (Nancy) Leach, and Jeffrey Leach. He is also survived by several cousins but was especially close to Dena Leach and Stacey Betler; and several nieces and nephews but was adored by Sydney Mae Gifford as much as he adored her. Justin was a practicing Catholic long before he actually became a member of the Catholic church. During his last stay at Nathan Littauer Hospital ICU, Father Matthew Wetsel arranged his baptism. Gerald Campanile and Mary Marcais became his official godparents. On September 26, 2023, Justin turned 47 and a birthday party was held at Mountain Valley Hospice, attended by close family and friends. Calling hours will be held on Wednesday from 10am – noon at the Church of the Holy Spirit, 151 South Main Street, Gloversville. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at noon with Father Matthew Wetsel officiating. Burial will be in Mayfield Cemetery. Arrangements are by the Robert M. Halgas Funeral Home, Inc., Johnstown.

Justin Robert Leach

September 26, 1976 - September 30, 2023

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Justin Robert Leach

September 26, 1976 - September 30, 2023

What We Do

Flowers & Gifts

Plan Ahead

About Us

Resources

Obituaries

Grief & Healing

Contact Information

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