NORWICH – Leo J. Wightman, 94, a Norwich resident for many of his years, passed away Monday, May 5, 2008 in the Chenango Memorial Hospital.
Born in Norwich in March of 1914, Leo was the son of James Lee and Lois G. (Wilkes) Wightman. During World War II, he served his country in the United States Army from April of 1944 until his honorable discharge in January of 1946. In 1951, Leo moved to Buffalo, where he worked for 30 years in the automobile manufacturing business, as an employee of General Motors. In 1988, Leo returned to Chenango County and took up residence at Preston Manor, making his home there until 2001 when he relocated to the New York State Veterans’ Home in Oxford.
Leo is survived by his daughters and their spouses: Leona and Luis Navarro of Fitchburg, Mass., Carol Burton of Columbia City, Ind., Nancy and Vincent D’Angelo of Hialeah, Fla., Rosemary and David Shafer of Niagara Falls; his stepson. Earl Angle of Cleveland, Tenn., and his sister, Gladys Yarrington of Florida. He is also survived by 33 grandchildren, many great- and great-great grandchildren, and nieces and nephews.
Leo was predeceased by his wife, Grace Ruffle Wightman; his daughter, Shirley Ashton; twin brother James Lee Wightman, Jr., and brother Lyle Wightman; his step-sister, Margaret Davis; and his stepson and stepdaughter, Charles Angle and Barbara Angle.
Funeral services with full military rites will be held for Leo at 1 p.m. on Friday from the R.J. Fahy Funeral Home. The Rev. Jeremy Stopford of Norwich will officiate, with burial to follow in Mt. Hope Cemetery. Friends are invited to call at the R.J. Fahy Funeral Home on Friday from 11 a.m. until the service at 1 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, please consider contributions to the REK Scholarship Fund/Rachel Nargiso at Norwich City Schools, c/o Wendy Wright, 19 Baton Ave., Norwich, NY 13815.