Harry Leighton

Harry Leighton, age 95, passed away peacefully in his sleep in the morning hours of Sept.13, 2013. He was proceeded in death by his father Henry Leighton, his mother Jessie May Cipperly and his sister Helen Cannon. Harry is survived by a niece Susan Torres, her husband Manuel Torres and Susan's three children from a previous marriage: Craig Enos, Gary Enos and Marnie Carroll. Harry was born in Wilkensburg, Pennsylvania, but his most fond memories of his childhood were living in Ethica, New York where he had a pet raccoon named Oscar. Harry said he sure liked his mother had a harness made for Oscar so Harry could take his raccoon for walks. Harry also enjoyed holding his Uncle's black snake which didn't bite because it had no teeth. The snake was as long as Harry was tall as a boy. He said his very first boat ride was a wash tub and he liked showing the picture of himself riding in it down a small brook close to their house in Ethica. Harry was a graduate of Cornell University receiving his two degrees in Entomology and Architecture. Harry then joined the US Navy and became a Lieutenant stationed on an island called Eniwetok. He received a World War II Victory Metal. Harry moved to Albuquerque, NM and went to work for an Architectural Business as an Architect, but he didn't like being so confined in an office. He eventually quit this type of work and joined up with two other friends and moved up to Santa Fe where they started creating art using the silk-screening technique. It ended up not working out for Harry with his two friends, so Harry broke away from them, moved back to Albuquerque where he founded a retail greeting card shop and called it The Old Town Card Shop. Later he got tired saying the long name and just called it The Card Shop. Harry was quite eccentric at times about things and did as he pleased. Doing business meant nothing really to Harry and often when the mood struck Harry, he would just close up the shop and go play a round or two of Putt Putt Golf. This left customers wondering what happened, but Harry didn't care, he just wanted to have some fun. Harry in his 70's, by his own decision, joined AA and said it changed his life. Being Lutheran, Harry liked some of the AA meetings that were held in a Lutheran church and he liked getting up and speaking to a group too. Harry's AA Sponser had remained a dear friend to Harry over the years up unto Harry's passing. Harry had another dear friend who helped with his care when Harry was still able to live at home. This dear friend followed being a friend to Harry when Harry went to live in a nursing home and would go visit him and play a few games of scrabble with Harry sometimes every week to help Harry adjust to nursing home life. This one friend has remained a dear friend also up unto Harry's passing. Harry had just a few very close friends,but they all have loved him deeply and will miss him greatly. They will always remember Harry's beautiful artwork, piano playing, his funny sense of humor, his love of Lighthouses, his book about Dick Brewer who was Billy the Kid's friend, his memories of the Navy, his joy of watching the birds eat from the bird feeder, his love of drinking a hot cup of coffee, his love of playing scrabble and sudoko, but most importantly Harry's two younger close friends who will remember Harry as being their chosen Uncle who made those incredible elaborate small villages constructed for Harry's train sets which Harry loved to share and let them play with for hours on end. In lieu of flowers please give donations to any organization of your choice to help those suffering so terribly from mental illness. Daniels Family Funeral Services 2400 Southern Blvd Rio Rancho, NM 87124 505-891-9192