Emile Joseph Leger Jr., beloved patriarch and longtime resident of Waltham, MA, passed away on Tuesday, November, 12th, 2024. He was 94 years old.
He was a retired business owner, an electrical engineer, a proud Army veteran and employed driver for the last 12 years until the pandemic hit.
Emile was born in Waltham, MA, on December 7, 1929. Like many children of the Great Depression, he had a spirit of self-reliance, diligence and he worked hard and had a deep gratitude for the simple things in life, which he never lost. He was self-taught in many fields and had a lifelong love of cars, a curiosity for mechanics, and a natural gift for engineering to match it.
Prior to serving in the U.S. Army Emile met the love of his life, Anna DeSantis. During his service in the Korean War, he was stationed in Wiesbaden, Germany. Emile was awarded the Army of Occupation Medal for his service. In 1953, after his service Emile married Anna and they were together for 47 years.
More than anything else, Emile loved recounting his adventures overseas, and had no trouble recalling his time in Paris, Rome, and Berlin. Emile enjoyed spending time with his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was also fond of birdwatching, making people laugh, movies, and Italian food.
Emile was pre-deceased by his wife Anna, and he spoke fondly of being reunited with her on the other side. Emile’s smile and sense of humor will be sorely missed, but are survived by his loving children, Donna DeSimone of Burlington, MA, Brenda Swift and her husband Rick of Ashby, MA, Paul Leger and his wife Lisa of Marlborough, MA, Edward Leger and his wife Linda of Natick, MA and David Leger of Concord, NH.
His grandchildren Michelle Shirley, Anna DeSimone, Ryan Swift, Stephen Leger, Sarah Leger, Leah Leger, Amanda Leger, Cheyenne Gauvin and his great-grandchildren Alana, Brooke, Samantha, Cole, and Robert.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that Emil’s memory be honored with donations made to Home for Our Troops: https://www.hfotusa.org/
Visiting hours Sunday, Nov. 17, from 2-6pm in the Magni Funeral Home, 365 Watertown St, Newton and again Monday morning, Nov. 18, at 9:15am. Funeral Mass to follow at 10:30am in Our Lady Help of Christians Church, 573 Washington St, Newton. Burial in Calvary Cemetery, Waltham with Military Honors.