| Graduation Year | Class of 1977 |
| Date of Passing | Aug 02, 2017 |
| About | MIDDLETOWN – David P. Leys, Jr., 59, a life-long resident of Middletown, RI, passed away peacefully on Wednesday August 2, 2017, in his home surrounded by his family, after living courageously for five years as Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, gradually destroyed his body but not his spirit. He was an exceptional and devoted father to three children, Bowen, Ryan, and Annie. A 1977 graduate of Middletown HS, he continued his education earning a Bachelor of Arts from New England College in Henniker, NH, in 1981. Before, during, and after he earned his degree, he worked with his father in the family business, Leys Century Store, the longest continuously family-run department store in the country. David had the honor of being a fourth-generation employee and he was a regular fixture all over the store, especially in the men’s department where he loved greeting customers, both long-standing regulars and tourists, to sell them anything from socks to bow ties to full dress suits. . . . In high school, he ran for the track and field team and held the school record in the hurdles for many years in basketball, and lacrosse for the Middletown Islanders. Along with his children, David is survived by his parents, David P. Leys, Sr. and Judith Cowey Leys of Middletown, his siblings: Ellen (Dave Raboy) of Newport, Kevin (Midge Rogers) of Allenhurst, NJ, Paul (Mardie Corcoran) of Newport, Beth of Steamboat Springs, Colorado and Middletown, Andrew (Susan Winkler) of Middletown, and Johnny (Middletown). He also leaves behind twelve nieces and nephews, many cousins, and a large group of loyal and caring friends, including his children’s mother Kathleen Breede, all of whom supported him throughout his long illness. |
