Leighton L. “Spooky” Squires
“Spooky” Leighton Louis Squires, father, husband, grandfather, hardest working man you’ve known, prankster, everybody’s best friend, a lover of laughter & inappropriate humor, local legend, and all around -one of a kind jovial man, left his achy body behind on April 3rd, 2023, surround by his loving family. His wife Lois, daughter Jeanette, and his son Warren “Benny” Squires were all anxiously waiting for his arrival on the other side of Heaven’s door.
Spooky loved to hunt in his younger days, but most of all he just loved being as one with the great outdoors emersed in the splendid rolling hills of the Catskill mountains that he was lucky enough to call home for 84 years. He and his bestie Joe Hewitt, had a passion for Bee keeping, making their own signature honey, and tapping trees bringing home the best maple syrup to ever touch your lips. He loved to split wood and to build things, making things with his hands is what he did best.
The friends in his life were numerous. He particularly fancied the underdogs in life. He made everyone feel special, understood, needed, loved, and always made you laugh. He wanted to help anyone in need no matter how laborious the job might be. When he walked into a room, everyone lit up and the smiles were a plenty. His fun loving energy was beyond contagious.
He loved the ladies, calling them all “Sweetheart” “Honey” or “Baby” he always had a hug and squeeze for all. He loved his mom Emily Squires (Deceased) His loving wife Lois Squires (Deceased) his favorite cousin Francine Ladenheim, his sister Joannne Santulli, and his daughters Tracy, Jeanette (Deceased) and Lisa, with all his heart. As well, he adored his New Kingston neighbors as if they were his very own family. A great loss to the very special Hamlet of New Kingston.
He married his love Lois Marie Kurdt Squires, almost 61 years ago, with whom they had four children, Tracy Lynn Squires (Jim Yaekel) of Margaretville NY, Jeanette Ruth Squires (Deceased) of South Carolina, Warren Louis Squires (Deceased) of New Kingston, and Lisa Jo Squires (John Ganske) of Sun Valley ID. He taught them to treat others how they would like to be treated, to work hard, to love nature, to laugh a lot, to remember that less is more, friends and family are everything, and to just be thankful.
He excelled at helping others. Some people take in Stray animals, he took in stray humans. A plethora of cousins, inner city children, friends, neighbors, and anyone else that needed some love- his doors were always open. His favorite pastime was befriending the local chipmunks and fed them daily, climbing up his leg and nestling into his hands for a free meal each day.
He took extreme pride in his three grandchildren Virgil Conklin of Brooklyn, Benjamin Corley of Kingston, and Francesca Rippo of Sun Valley. All were blessed with a touch of Spook’s good ole’ fashioned humor.
Spooky was a very proud lifetime member of the Margaretville Fire Department. He once took over 300 stitches to the leg when a fire hose broke away, and he wore his scars like a badge of honor.
He joined the US Navy in 1957 where he served as a Machinist “mate” aboard the USS Ingraham DD-694 and was always happy to share his stories with fellow US Veterans.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you donate to Margaretville fire dept. 845-586-4419
Graveside service will be held at the New Kingston Cemetery on May 13th at 1:00 rain or shine. Please join the family and friends for food and libations following the service at the Margaretville Fire Department 77 Church Street.
“Don’t cry because it over, smile because it happened.” – Dr. Seuss
Like the old saying goes, “It’s not a goodbye, it’s a see you later”.