O. William Leitch

SMITHFIELD, N.Y. — Billy Leitch died peacefully on Jan. 17, 2015, at his home in Smithfield, N.Y., at the age of 79. A lifelong resident of Dutchess County, Billy was born in Poughkeepsie on Aug. 5, 1935, the son of Katherine (Murphy) and Oswald J. Leitch of Millbrook. Christened Oswald W. Leitch, he was invariably known as Billy for his entire life. He graduated with the class of 1952 from Millbrook High School. Billy followed his father’s footsteps into a lifelong career as a professional horseman, and was widely known for his eminence within that profession. He spent many decades in the employ of the Winslow, Bontecou, McLane and Hall families in Millbrook. Billy also distinguished himself as an active participant in the Millbrook Hunt, achieving an unbroken record of 62 years of continuous fox-hunting seasons. A member of the Professional Horseman’s Association since 1955, he served twice as president, twice as secretary and, until his death, as vice president. He was also a life member of Saint Joseph’s Church in Millbrook.On Nov. 15, 1958, he was married to Mary Mechare of Millerton at Saint Bernard’s Church in Sharon. Well-mated and inseparable for life, Billy and Mary recently celebrated their 56th wedding anniversary as partners and truest of friends. Billy Leitch is survived by his devoted wife, Mary, and a small legion of surrogate children, including many from the families of their employers, who were raised, taught, counseled and encouraged by their Uncle Billy and Aunt Mary. They will all deeply mourn his loss.Billy Leitch leaves behind him a sea of admiring attributes, some of which include his kindness, his skills, great courtesy, modesty, engagement, a neat and careful dresser, always well-groomed, a gift for mutual respect, a keen observer of human life and its foibles, and a marvelous narrative ability to vividly convey the now-vanished world through which he passed, with its characters and its consequences. A quiet graceful reticence and polished wit — all qualify Billy as perhaps the best and last of nature’s gentlemen.Calling hours will be held on Wednesday, Jan. 21, from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Allen Funeral Home on Franklin Avenue in Millbrook. A celebration of his life will be held on Thursday, Jan. 22, at 11 a.m. at St. Joseph’s Church in Millbrook. In lieu of flowers, donations in his name may be made to the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation, P.O. Box 834, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866; or a charity of the donor’s choice.