Anthony "Buckie" Leach

Anthony “ Buckie” Leach III, 62, of South Bend IN, passed away very unexpectedly on August 14, 2021 as the result of a motorcycle tragedy. Please know that Buckie did not suffer. Buckie was born September 22, 1958 in Elmira, NY the son of the late Lt. Col Anthony and Betty Leach.  In addition to his parents Buckie is predeceased by his sister Peggy Leach, aunts, Mary Lou Liotino, Pat Rosebrook and uncles, Arthur Leach, Jim Rosebrook and Randy Painton.

Buckie is survived by his sister Kathy Leach; aunts, Patti Leach Painton, Joy Leach and Sandy Leach; his uncle Rich Goodstein and several loving cousins and their families; and of course so many friends that meant the world to him.

Buckie truly loved being a Fencing Coach.  His students were successful on both the national and international levels.  Buckie actually started fencing at the age

of 12.  Our father was stationed in Ft Sam Houston, Texas at that time. Ft Sam Houston is the home to the Modern Pentathlon made up of Riding, Shooting, Swimming, Running and Fencing!  We then moved to Ithaca, NY and Buckie continued Fencing at Cornell University.  Over the past 42 years he became a Fencing Master at 20, started the Rochester Fencing Center, coached at The Fencers Club Inc. and created the Blackstar Coaching clinics, a teaching program for fencing coaches. Buckie was the Olympic coach in 1996, 2000, 2004, 2016 and 2020.  In the Tokyo Olympics he was fortunate enough to see a past student win the Gold for Women’s Foil. Prior to the 2016-2017 season Buckie was recruited by Notre Dame head coach Gia Kvaratskhelia.  Gia remembered Buckie in the following way: “It was his heart, passion and laughter that made Buckie a beloved coach. Buckie’s legacy at Notre Dame stretched far beyond the athletic accomplishments of the fencers and the team he coached.

Rather his enduring memory will be of the incredible person that he was, his kindness, his passion his sense of humor, and the genuine way he brightened the lives of everyone who was fortunate enough to know him.”

Buckie’s family is very thankful that he had a second family in the fencing community!

Per Buckie’s wishes he will be buried beside his parents in Ithaca, NY.

Friends and Family are invited on Sunday September 26, 2021 from 4-7pm for calling hours at Bangs Funeral Home, 209 W. Green St. Ithaca, NY 14850.

A burial service will be taking place at Calvary Cemetery, 636 Five Mile Dr, Ithaca NY 14850 on Monday September 27, 2021 at 11:00 am. Friends are welcome to join the family and share memories at that time.

It is anticipated that there will be additional celebrations of Buckie’s life at Notre Dame, NYC and USA Fencing. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Women’s Foil Team and St Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Thank you.

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Sunday, September 26, 2021 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM

Bangs Funeral Home, Inc. 209 W Green St. Ithaca, New York 14850

Monday, September 27, 2021 11:00 AM

Calvary Cemetery Five Mile Drivre Ithaca, New York 14850