Burton (Burt) Chase Leach III, age 78 of Newtown, Conn., son to the late Leoma (Smith) and Burton C. Leach, Jr, died on May 20, 2023, at Danbury Hospital surrounded by his loving family.

He is survived by his loving wife Margaret (Romeo) of 53 years, brother Arthur Leach and his wife Elaine of Danbury and sister Roberta Leach George of Norwich, Conn. He was preceded in death by his sisters Naomi Tomaino and Monica Allen.

Burt grew up in New Fairfield and graduated from Danbury High School and Norwalk Community College. He served four years in the US Air Force. He retired from Pitney Bowes, and then worked for many years at Shop Rite in Southbury.

The holidays were always a special time for Burt, and he loved entertaining his large family. Burt’s nieces and nephews marveled at his beautiful Christmas trees and extensive ornament collection and enjoyed his stories and history of the ornaments. They all looked forward to Christmas Eve, and to coloring eggs the night before Easter at Uncle Burt and Aunt Margaret’s house. Burt had special bonds with his nieces and nephews. The torch is being passed!!!

He will be deeply missed by his family and dear friends. His memory will live on in the hearts and lives he has touched with his kindness and love. Most importantly he is missed by his fur babies, TOBY and POGO. TOBY always rode shotgun with his Daddy!

A special thanks to the ICU staff for their loving care of Burt and our family during his final hours. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at Saint Rose of Lima Church, 46 Church Hill Road, Newtown, Conn. on Wednesday, May 31, at 11 am.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Burt’s memory may be made to Faith Food Pantry of Newtown INC PO Box 53, Newtown, CT 06470. Honan Funeral Home, 58 Main Street, Newtown is serving the family.