A new beam flashed from the lighthouse at the home of Jacob and Gizella Leicht on December 28th 1922. And after 99 ½ years that bright shining beam was extinguished on Saturday, June 25th, as George Peter Leicht closed his eyes for the last time. Dressed in a T-shirt of his beloved St Ignatius wildcats and watching the Cleveland Indians on TV, he breathed his last in bed at Ennis Court.

George grew up on the westside of Cleveland. He attended St Ignatius High School, graduating in 1940. His time at John Carroll University was interrupted by WWII. He served with the 821st Medical Air Evacuation Squadron of the Army Air Corps. He spent most of his time ferrying wounded soldiers from China over the "hump" to India and Burma. After the war George graduated from John Carroll in 1948 and then changed his mind from entering the FBI and chose to attend the Strich School of Medicine at Loyola Univ of Chicago graduating in 1952. He did his internship and residency at Mt. Carmel Mercy Hospital in Detroit before opening his practice on the westside of his hometown.

George married Dorothy Rote from his same neighborhood in 1948. They raised three children: Christopher (Cecilia) Leicht, Monica (Steve) Hohler, and Barbara (James) Foos. And helped raise 11 grandchildren: Jonathan (Jamie) Leicht, Matthew Leicht, Robert Leicht, Gary (Nina) Leicht, Michelle Hoonan, Michela (Eric) Schmitz, Carly Keller, Jacob (Paige) Keller, James (Corrie) Foos III , Christina (Rick) Hein, and Nicole (Kevin) Gunning. In addition, George had 9 great grandchildren: Elizabeth and Connor Leicht, Jacob Hoonan, Matthew and Sarah Hein, Jimmy and Ellie Foos, and Kawai and Kaden Gunning.

George married Patricia Arquillo in 1992 and they had many happy years before she passed in 2011.

George placed a high value on education. He not only wanted to know where you went to school, but how are you continuing to learn and develop as an individual and how are you contributing to society. He took continuing education classes well into his 80's and would argue both sides of an issue just to understand you and the issue better.

George's professional accomplishments are way too numerous to mention, but here are a few. He was chairman of the OB-GYN department of Fairview Hospital. He was on the staff of Lakewood and St John's hospitals. He developed the clerkships in the OB departments at the Cleveland Clinic and in Case Western Reserve's School of Medicine. He supervised the clerkship at Ohio State University's School of Medicine. He was an assistant professor at Case Western Reserve. George was President of the Academy of Medicine of Cleveland and he created the Physician's Peer Review Board of Cuyahoga County, one of the first in the country. He was a regular counselor to female inmates at the county jail and was a longtime contributor and board member of the Visiting Nurses Association.

George truly lived his high school's motto, "Men for Others". His whole life was about giving to others. He never talked about himself and was always interested in you. He was a champion of women, way before it became in vogue. His interactions with his staff and co-workers, other professionals, and of course his family certainly displayed that mentality. His favorite lapel button said, "Listen to the Women". He held himself to the highest standards as a leader to many, while he embodied the expression, "What's the right thing to do". The reason he is loved and revered by all is because of the loving and caring way he lived his life.

George was predeceased by both of his wives, Dorothy and Patricia, his sister, Margaret Gannelli, and two of his grandsons, Matthew Leicht and Robert Leicht.

George's family wishes to thank Patrice Campbell and the staff of Ennis Court and particularly Larry Dickerson for the love they provided during his stay in their care.

All are invited to celebrate with the family a life well lived and encourage everyone to wear bright colors at Dr. Leicht's Funeral Mass Friday, July 1, St. Angela Merici Church  (20970 Lorain Rd. Fairview Park) at 10 A.M. Interment Holy Cross Cemetery. Friends may call at CHAMBERS FUNERAL HOME of NORTH OLMSTED, 29150 LORAIN RD. AT STEARNS RD. THURSDAY 4-7 P.M.  In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to either St. Ignatius High Schools' Scholarship Fund, 1911 W. 30th St., Cleveland, OH 44113 or the Visiting Nurses Association of Cleveland, 925 Keynote Circle, Independence, OH 44131.