Austin E. Leach

Austin "Buck" Leach, age 82, passed away peacefully on Friday, May 23, 2025 at Ascension All Saints Hospital in Racine, WI.

Born and raised in Laona, WI, Buck attended Laona High School before enlisting in the Army in 1963. Following basic training, he became a paratrooper in the 82nd Airborne and served in the Dominican Republic, where he earned The Combat Infantryman Badge as well as The Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal. He was honorably discharged in 1966 and soon met, and fell in love with, his first wife Sylvia (Voysey) who became the mother of his 3 children. Following his military service, he worked as an electrician for Burger Boat Co. in Manitowoc and later as the head custodian at Lester Library in Two Rivers.

Early in life, Buck struggled with an addiction to alcohol but with the support of his second wife, Patricia, he was able to beat the addiction with the help of Marco Services in Manitowoc and celebrated nearly 40 years of sobriety before his death. Buck openly shared his story and offered support and advice to anyone looking for a pathway out of addiction.

Buck had a passion for fishing and competed for many years in a variety of fishing competitions in the Midwest. But most of all, he took great pride in his military service. He was an active member of the Laona VFW Auxiliary Post 6823 and had just returned from his 60th anniversary celebration at Fort Bragg in North Carolina, less than 24 hours prior to his passing. A huge thank you to Wisconsin Veterans Home at Union Grove for helping Buck regain his independence and the strength to travel and to Michelle Peterson, for accompanying him on this last trip and the many photos of him smiling & fully enjoying his last days.

Buck is survived by his daughter, Lisa (Joe) Murawski and sons Brian Leach and Bruce Leach, his grandchildren Sydnee -Murawski and Aaron Schneider, his great-granddaughter Cecilia Schneider, his brother-in-law Roy Brown, his sister-in-law Marilyn Leach as well as many cherished nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Berniece & Austin Leach, wife Patricia Leach, brother Ward Leach, sister Sandra Brown and his nephew Chris Leach.

A private ceremony will be held in his honor. Burial will take place in Southern Wisconsin Veteran Memorial Cemetery, Union Grove.