Richard "Dick" Anthony Leta

Richard “Dick” Anthony Leta, age 80, went to be with his Lord on Sunday, August 31, 2025, after a long illness. He was born in Buffalo, New York, on August 3, 1945, to the late Lawrence J. Leta and Delores B. Leta (Rammacher).

Dick attended Seneca Vocational High School, where he discovered a passion for communication electronics. As a teenager he spent countless hours in his basement building and repairing radios and other electronic devices—a foundation that would shape his career. He was also active in scouting, even attending the 5th National Scouting Jamboree in Colorado Springs in 1960 with his dad. Dick later served as a Boy Scout troop leader, helped at several scout camps, and, with love of scouting instilled in him by his father, earned the rank of Life Scout.

After graduating, Dick enlisted in the United States Air Force and served in Vietnam as a Telephone Switchboard Equipment Repairman, receiving an honorable discharge. He then settled in the Farmington, NY area, working part‑time at various radio stations—from Hammondsport to Syracuse—while also joining Stromberg‑Carlson Telephone Company. It was during this period that he met and married Anne Perry, the love of his life for 41 years, and the couple moved to Rochester. Dick later became an engineering technician for General Railway Signal until the company’s sale, after which he joined Frontier Communications, retiring in 2014.

Beyond his professional life, Dick generously volunteered his expertise, assisting local schools, churches, and community organizations with telephone system installations and maintenance. He cherished organ music and served the Rochester Organ Society for several years, and he also helped at nearby food pantries. Dick also had a genuine love for cooking.

As a child, Dick’s family spent many summers camping along the St. Lawrence River—a place that remained dear to his heart. He and Anne enjoyed countless weekends camping with their sons, and later, after the boys grew up, they purchased a cottage on the river. There they savored sunsets, river views, and endless conversations. Years later, Dick would often reminisce about time spent on the river as a youth and with Anne.

Dick was a devoted husband, father, brother, and friend. He was predeceased by his beloved wife Anne (Perry) Leta, his son Anthony, his parents Lawrence J. Leta and Delores B. Leta, and his brothers‑in‑law Roberto Pombo and Fred Perry. He is survived by his son Freddie Leta and his wife Laurie; his grandson Garland and his wife Cassandra, granddaughter Vanna, and great-grandson Emile; his brother Ronald Leta and wife Susan, and their sons Scott, Mark, and Jason; his sister Rosemary and husband Roberto (deceased) and her children Francisco, Deya, and Halley; his brother Lawrence and wife Shari, and their daughters Sierra and Ashley; his close friends Pastor Victor and Ruth Osborne; and in-laws Nancy and Tom, John and Linda, Fred(deceased) and Tonya, Ralph and Debbie, Frank and Linda, Fay and Keith, Kirke, Mary Rose and Craig; numerous nieces, nephews, and their children.

A Celebration of Life will be held on October 4, 2025, at 11 a.m. at Covenant Life Fellowship, 1574 Hennessy Road, Ontario, NY 14519. Dick will be interred beside his cherished wife Anne at Rogersville Forest Lawn Cemetery in South Dansville, NY.