Cornish, NH - Leo Rushia, 99, formerly of Cornish, NH, died with one of his children at his side on Saturday, June 8, 2024, in Alexandria, AL. He was born in Claremont, NH on April 20, 1925, to parents Alec and Corinne Rushia and spent most of his life in the area around Windsor, Cornish, and Claremont. He enlisted in the US Navy at the age of 17 and was stationed aboard a Destroyer Escort in the Pacific Theater during WWII. It was a formative experience for him and only years later, after he began attending DE reunions, and another crew member wrote a book about the DE's experiences, did he begin to talk about what it was like for him.

At the conclusion of the war, he was honorably discharged and returned home, embarking on a more than 4-decade career with Central Vermont Public Service, first as a meter reader and later as a lineman. While working there, he met Collene Spencer and on December 26, 1948, the two married at the First Baptist Church in Windsor, VT. The two were complementary and worked together to create a strong home base for their children and family. He wasn't afraid of hard work and lived by his mottoes of "safety first" and "measure twice, cut once." Leo's family was his first priority, and he maintained many lifelong friendships.

He was a man of faith and belief in God and was a longtime member of First Baptist Church of Windsor and now Trinity Evangelical Free Church.

Leo is survived by three children Victoria Curtis and husband Eugene of North Hartland, VT, Andrew Rushia and wife Pauline of Bradford, NH, and Naomi Wade and husband Herbert of Alexandria, AL; seven grandchildren; eight great grandchildren; other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his wife, brother Charles, stepsister Margaret and many other loved ones.

A private interment will be held.