Leon W. Pillsbury

Ascutney, VT – Leon W. Pillsbury, Jr., 93, died Wednesday, May 20, 2026, at the Jack Byrne Center in Lebanon, NH.

Leon was born February 1, 1933, in Waterville, ME, the only child of Leon and Inez (Rumery) Pillsbury. He grew up in Westbrook and graduated from Deering High School in 1951. While attending high school, he met Ruth Pillsbury. They dated throughout high school and were married on August 14, 1954.

Leon graduated from the University of Maine in 1954 with a bachelor’s degree in engineering. He also completed an eight-year commitment with the Army ROTC program. Following college, Leon and Ruth moved to Akron, OH, where he accepted a position with Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. They remained there until transferring to the Windsor plant in 1971 to be closer to his parents. He continued his career there until the plant’s closure and his retirement in 1987.

Leon enjoyed fishing and hunting with his family. Weekends were often spent together at motorcycle races, cheering on their boys. He and Ruth enjoyed camping during the summers at Ossipee Lake in Freedom, NH, and wintering in Punta Gorda, FL. They also enjoyed traveling in their recreational vehicle. Leon especially enjoyed riding motorcycles and working on and admiring antique one-lung engines, particularly at the Fryeburg Fair.

He was a member of the Windsor Lions Club and served as a former King Lion. He was also a member of Vermont Lodge F&AM #18 in Windsor.

He is survived by four children, Leon Pillsbury III and wife Carol of Kent, OH, Glen Pillsbury and wife Dorinda of Peru, ME, Gail Pringle of Hanover, NH, and Cheryl Waite and husband Steve of Hartland, VT; eleven grandchildren; seventeen great-grandchildren; as well as other relatives and friends.

Services will be private. Memorial donations are appreciated to the Windsor Lions Club, 467 Sunset Drive, Windsor, VT 05089, or to the Lucy Mackenzie Humane Society, PO Box 702, Brownsville, VT 05037 or at https://lucymac.org/ .

Knight Funeral Home of Windsor, VT, has been entrusted with arrangements, and online condolences may be made at www.knightfuneralhomes.com