Welcome to the memorial page for
Don B. Leech
October 14, 1934 ~ January 24, 2016 (age 81) 81 Years Old Light a Candle
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Message from Andrew Spate
January 28, 2016 8:06 AM
In the short amount of time that I had the honor of knowing Don, he quickly became a friend at the Miniature Railroad & Village. Don was always a cheerful friend who was dependable at any point. His smile and attitude made visitors'days when the came to the Science Center. I am incredibly grateful for the stories that Don shared as well as the lessons garnered from his experience. He was a great man and will certainly be missed.
Message from Abigail Zuros
January 27, 2016 3:07 PM
It was my privilege to get to know Don during the time that my husband and I worked at the Carnegie Science Center. Don loved being the train "engineer;" fixing the trains and enthusiastically talking to any visitor that walked past the console! But he was so much more than a coworker to us, he was a mentor and a friend. Don insisted on driving us in his beautiful vintage car at our wedding - a memory I will treasure forever. He continued to be a special part of our lives even after we moved away, staying in touch for every birthday and holiday that passed. I will truly miss Don, and will always treasure the all the advice, funny stories, and memories he gave me.
Message from Ted Treadway
January 27, 2016 3:31 PM
Don was the MRRV. I had the honor of giving him a break, blowing the whistle or otherwise he would never quit. He was so dedicated in every thing and he did and enjoyed it all. He will be missed by all.
Message from Paul Zuros
January 27, 2016 1:37 PM
I knew Engineer Don when I worked at the MRRV. He was extremely devoted to the Railroad and took much pride in doing his part to keep it running. Don was the repair man and I learned a lot about repairing trains under his watchful eye. Often when I had a problem working on the engines, Don would gladly step in to give me a hand. He used to say he could keep them going with just "rubber bands and chewing gum." Bob and I would break them and he would fix them! Much more than his technical skill was his genuine love to work with the public and especially the kids. He said he got his first train when he was 6 and had been interested in them ever since. He would talk to every single visitor and ask them to blow the whistle. Don cared for those with whom he worked. Even after we moved from Pittsburgh, he would always call now and again to check in and send our son a birthday card from "Engineer Don." The staff and volunteers of the MRRV were his family. His legacy not only will be reflected in the work that he did on the MRRV, but will be reflected in the many thousands of visitors who visited the Railroad over the past 20 years and who were inspired with a love of history, trains, and model building. I know I learned so much in the time I knew him. Don will be truly missed.
Message from Janice Henry
January 27, 2016 8:20 AM
Working with Don at the miniature railroad, I came to know, appreciate, admire, enjoy and love Don in a surprisingly short amount of time. I am very grateful for having had that opportunity. He was a very special man who I will so miss.
Message from Gina DelGreco
January 27, 2016 12:26 AM
Don was one of my best friends at the Miniature Railroad. He taught me everything I knew about the trains and the layout. He greeted all of our visitors with a smile and a high five. I loved all of the stories Don told me about his past, everything from the his childhood, the military, to teaching, to making Lionel trains run since he was six years old! I am going to miss him tremendously and I will always cherish the photo I have the two of us.
Message from Mark Lesonick
January 26, 2016 7:29 PM
Don became a friend in the short time that we worked together at the CSC railroad. He taught me many things about the railroad and the repairs he made. He was the Master Mechanic of his craft and took pride in his work ! He will be missed by everyone, kids young and old. I will miss our Sunday's together, it was a privilege working with Don.
Message from Jackie Pfeiffer
January 26, 2016 3:44 PM
Mr. Don will be greatly missed. Visitors looked forward to giving him a high five after blowing the whistle at the Miniature Railroad. He and I shared lots of elementary teaching stories and commiserated about teaching. I shall miss him so much.
Message from Jackie Pfeiffer
January 26, 2016 3:44 PM
Mr. Don will be greatly missed. Visitors looked forward to giving him a high five after blowing the whistle at the Miniature Railroad. He and I shared lots of elementary teaching stories and commiserated about teaching. I shall miss him so much.
Message from Patty Everly
January 26, 2016 11:55 AM
It was an honor to work with Don at the Miniature Railroad & Village for over 20 years. Don was a dedicated and devoted fixture here. He was a miracle worker at fixing trains, he adored chatting with our visitors and helping kids, big and small, to blow the whistle (no one was too old to blow the whistle in Don’s book) and they were always congratulated with a hearty high-five! He loved inviting our visitors to sign the guest book and leave a comment. Above all, he took great pride in keeping the trains running, making sure they were all in tip-top-shape and in the maintenance of the MRRV. Our trolleys, especially, will miss his masterful touch. He truly loved it here and he will be deeply missed.
Message from Anthony "Nino" Balistrieri
January 26, 2016 11:39 AM
My condolences to all the friends and family of Don. Although I didn't work directly with him, we chatted frequently over the years (usually about cars) and he was always a pleasure to be around! He will surely be missed!
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