Victor C. Leap

Victor C. Leap, 82, of 10723 Cayuga Path, Conneaut Lake, PA died Saturday, July 16, 2011 surrounded by family at his daughter's home in Ellicott City, MD.

Vic was born June 30, 1929 in Smithdale, PA to Joseph T. Leap and Hilda Fees and grew up in the West Newton, PA area. He was educated in the West Newton School System and attended Penn State University.

Vic entered the US Air Force on Dec. 29, 1950 and served in the 11th Air Rescue Squadron at Hickam Air Force Base where he survived a helicopter crash and was honorably discharged.

On October 2, 1954 he married his loving wife Evelyn Golomb and resided in West Newton, until 1970 when he moved to Conneaut Lake, PA.

While living in West Newton he worked for Pittsburgh Consolidated Coal Company, Mathi’s Mine, served as Chief of the Auxiliary Police force in West Newton, worked as manager of Fries’ Hardware and Electric, served four years on West Newton Borough Council, and one year as President of the Westmoreland County Boroughs Association. He worked for five years as a county detective with the Westmoreland County District Attorney’s Office, and was Relocation Director of the Westmoreland County Redevelopment Authority for five years.

In 1970, Vic joined the Redevelopment Authority of the City of Meadville as its Executive Director. Undertaking its first major Urban Renewal Projects, he worked in cooperation with the Meadville Area Industrial Commission and the Crawford County Industrial Development Authority. He initiated a city and county housing rehabilitation program, downtown revitalization programs, and infrastructure and preservation support.

Under his leadership, the Arch Street plant of Talon, Inc became one of the most successful Industrial Condominium and Business Incubators in the state.  He brought various economic development agencies together for a one-stop shop, forming the Crawford County Development Corporation. Vic’s number one priority for the area was job creation.  He also owned and operated Positive Security Systems in the late 1970s.

Vic also volunteered his time to many committees and organizations, including the executive board of the NW Regional Planning and Development Commission; the Crawford County Advisory Committee, the NW Private Industry Council, the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Authorities, and the National Incubator Association. He served on the board of the FNB Consumer Discount Corporation, and was a member of the advisory committee of the First National Bank. He was also a board member of the Crawford County Industrial Development Authority, the Northwest Regional Alliance, the Crawford County Coalition for Progress, the PA Association of Housing and Redevelopment Authorities and the PA Incubator Association.  He was also a charter member of the Crawford Area Transportation Authority. In 1983 Vic was the winner of the Dr. Harry C. Winslow Award, which honors contributions to area economic growth and the 1989 winner of the statewide CUED award for economic development achievements.  The State Department of Environmental Protection building, in Meadville, bears his name and he also served as chairman of the board of Conneaut Lake Park.

Vic enjoyed meeting on Sunday mornings at Miller’s Food Factory, Wednesday morning for the morning club and weekdays at Kentucky Fried Chicken with his friends. He always had a smile on his face and loved to solve the problems of the world.  He loved cheering for Women’s Penn State Volleyball and the Pittsburgh Steelers, being an avid fan. He was a member of the Golden K Kiwanis Club of Meadville, Gyro in Florida, lifetime member of the Elks, VFW, and American Legion, and member of the Iroquois Club, Conneaut Lake.  He was a member of Our Lady Queen of the America’s Roman Catholic Church.

Known for many accomplishments, his most notable accomplishment was his family. Known as a loving and supportive husband, father, and grandfather, he was most proud of his family and loved spending time with them.  Upon retirement he spent winters in Florida,  enjoyed his home in Conneaut Lake, traveled abroad  and his greatest love, visited his children and grandchildren. He is survived by his wife of 57 years Evelyn Golomb Leap, daughter Vicki Leap of Conneaut Lake, her husband Al and their daughter Maggie, daughter Pamela Jarrell of Conneaut Lake and her children Dan, Adam, and Ashley, daughter Marcy Bartges of Bradenton, FL, her husband Chuck, and their daughters Hannah, Tessa, and Emma, son Todd Leap of Lynchburg, VA and his partner Mark  Little, daughter Lisa Shope of Ellicott City, MD, her husband Eric, and their daughters Olivia and Grace, and daughter Kristin Jackson of Wrightsville Beach, NC, her husband Chris, and their son Tyson.  Also surviving is his sister Rose Marie Lumsden and niece Joyce Abbott  and her husband Henry, all of West Newton. He was preceded in death by two brothers, Donald and Ward Leap and one sister Lois Wagner.

In addition to his immediate family Vic was father to Graciela Garza of Mexico and grandfather to Haruna Kawakami of Japan both exchange students who admired and loved him.

Calling hours will be Wednesday from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. at Waid-Coleman Funeral Home, 12422 Conneaut Lake Road, Conneaut Lake with a Scripture Prayer service at 6:45 p.m.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Thursday at 11:00 a.m. at Our Lady Queen of the Americas Church, 155 S. Ninth Street, Conneaut Lake with Fr. Steve Anderson as Celebrant.

Interment will be in West Newton Cemetery, West Newton.

Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or to a charity of the donor's choice.

Memories and condolences may be shared at www.waidfuneralhome.net.