James B. Leach, Jr. M.D.

James B. Leach, Jr. M.D., age 87, passed away peacefully at his home in East Greenwich, surrounded by his family on Sunday, March 4, 2018.  He was born on November 6, 1930 in Providence, RI to James B. and Kathryn (McGlynn) Leach.  He was the beloved husband of Evelyn (Veresko) Leach.  They were married for 62 years.

Dr. Leach was a 1948 graduate of LaSalle Academy where he was a member of the Debating Club, Glee Club and a writer for the Maroon and White school newspaper. “Jim” graduated with high honors and was named Valedictorian.  He graduated from Providence College in 1952 with honors and was a member of the National Catholic Honor Society and the Glee Club.  He spent his summers as a lifeguard at Peck’s pond.  Dr. Leach earned his medical degree in 1956 from New York Medical College, with honors, when it was located in New York City, at Flowers and Fifth Avenue.  After his internship at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Providence, Dr. Leach served as a physician in the U.S. Air Force in Oscoda, MI from 1957-59.  Returning home to RI, Dr. Leach opened his own practice as a General Practitioner in Cranston, before heading out to the Bronx VA Hospital in Yonkers, NY where he was a Radiology resident.  He became a board-certified Radiologist in 1964 and was an Associate Radiologist at St. Joseph’s Hospital from 1963-1969.  In the summer of ’69, Dr. Leach’s big break came about when he was hired as the Director of Radiology at The Woonsocket Hospital.  He was the Chief of Radiology until he retired in 1988. It was during this time that Dr. Leach served on many medical organizations, including President of The Radiological Society of RI.  In 2005, Dr. Leach was conferred the degree of Retired Fellow in The American College of Radiology.  Dr. Leach continued to practice radiology for a number of years in an ultrasound practice, JBL imaging, and other part-time work until his tee times at Quidnessett Country Club took precedence over his hours assisting local doctors who needed expert coverage.

A member of Quidnessett CC since 1967, Dr. Leach spent much of his retirement perfecting his golf game.  A member of the hole-in-one club, “Doc”, as he was often called on the links, diagnosed many ailments on the tee, his medical knowledge still as important as his backswing. Dr. Leach was also an accomplished amateur photographer who built his own dark room and developed and printed thousands of outstanding images when film and paper was used.  His African safari photographs and those of his children were his proudest works of art.  Travelling the world with his wife Evelyn was a joy to him, and finding the birthplace of his Irish ancestor, Joseph Leech, of Co. Louth was special to him.  Dr. Leach was also an avid gardener and often said he wished he was born a farmer. He was a loyal Red Sox and Patriots fan.  An accomplished piano player and vocalist, he sang in glee clubs and church throughout his life.  Dr. Leach was a “do-it-yourselfer” who could fix anything and amassed a tool collection worthy of gallery display.  Perhaps most importantly, Dr. Leach was a self-described intellectual who was passionate about reading everything and dedicated himself to being a lifelong learner.  His household collection of over 5,000 books contains not a single un-read page.  His medical career in radiology is enumerated by the incredible number of x-rays he was famous for reading quickly and accurately.  His knowledge of human anatomy was exceptional.  It was recognized as early as his freshman year of medical school when he was presented with The Eben J. Carey Memorial award for “the highest proficiency in the study of basic anatomy.”  A crossword puzzle fanatic, Dr. Leach would finish the NY Times puzzle in a matter of minutes, in pen .  His early days as a writer for LaSalle Academy’s Maroon and White weekly paper included poetry which he continued to write throughout his life.  He finally published a book of his poems called Walk With Me last year.  He was an exceptional husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend. When asked, during his last days, which accomplishments he wanted people to remember, he deflected the praise and simply said, “My wife and my children and grandchildren.  They are what matter the most to me.”

Besides his wife, Evelyn (Veresko), he is survived by his sister, Joan Forbes of Franklin, MA, and his loving children, Karen and Roberto Rodriguez of Tampa, Florida, Stephanie Corrente of East Greenwich, RI, Kevin and Catherine Leach of Fairfax, VA, James and Elizabeth Leach of Smithfield, RI, and Kathryn and Andrew Viveiros of Smithfield, RI.  “Papa” was the cherished grandfather of Daniel Rodriguez, Evan Rodriguez, Christina (Rodriguez) Klein, Matthew Corrente, Celia Corrente, Michaela (Corrente) de Groot, Kevin James Leach, Rebecca Leach, Abigail Leach, Sarah Leach, Patricia Leach, Emma Viveiros, and Evelyn Grace Viveiros.  He was the cherished great grandfather of Elam, Lulu, and Simon Rodriguez, and Casey James Corrente.

Visitation will be held Sunday, March 11 ^th from 4-7 pm at HILL FUNERAL HOME, 822 Main St., East Greenwich.   A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Monday, March 12th at 10 am at Our Lady of Mercy Church, 65 Third St., East Greenwich.  Burial will follow at St. Ann’s Cemetery, 73 Church St., Cranston.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to The RI Philharmonic Orchestra, The RI Civic Chorale, or The Audubon Society of RI.  For on line condolences please visit www.hillfuneralhome.com.