Alfred “Al” Kurtz Leeds, 83, passed away on February 13, 2016 at the Upper Chesapeake Medical Center in Bel Air, MD. Mr. Leeds had been in ill health for a while; for four months prior to his death he had been a resident of the Lorien Riverside nursing home in Belcamp, MD.

Al was born on November 1, 1932, in Oceanville, NJ, to William “Captain Bill” Leeds and Dorothy Leeds (nee Holt); both deceased. He is also predeceased by two brothers: Charles and Robert, and three sisters: Dorothy Hewitt, June Toler, and Helen Mills (her first marriage to James Walsh ended in divorce).

He is survived by his devoted wife of 30 years Alice Welsh Leeds and his three brothers: Dave (and wife Olive), Richard (and wife Patricia) and Stephen (and wife Sharon), as well as many nephews and nieces and their families and the stepchildren and their families from his first two marriages. Mr. Leeds met the former Alice Marie Welsh on March 7, 1985 and they wed on September 7, 1985. His first marriage ended in divorce and he was predeceased by his second wife Alice Marie Ginnetti.

Al always loved being around the sea and he worked on commercial fishing boats in and around Atlantic City, NJ. He also worked on a NOAA research vessel at the same time as his brother Stephen. Mr. Leeds served four years in the Navy. After being a civilian for a few years he decided to rejoin the Armed Forces and enlisted in the Air Force, where he served an additional 17 years before retiring in 1971. In the Air Force he was involved in the technical and management fields especially for fire control systems for airborne rocketry. Mr. Leeds later joined the Bendix Corporation and served as a senior electronics technician at its Space Tracking Network on Guam. He then joined E-Systems (now Raytheon) where he served as a contractor field service representative at sites in the United States, Germany, and South Korea. He retired from E-Systems in 1993.

For many years Al excelled in preparing gourmet dinners and treats for family and friends, earning him the nickname “Chef Alfredo.” He also played golf and enjoyed reading mysteries and war stories.

A celebration of his life will be held at the Zellman Funderal Home, P.A., 123 South Washington St., Havre de Grace, MD, on July 30, 2016 at 11 am.
In lieu of flowers contributions in his memory may be sent to Luna’s House, 2801 Pulaski Highway, Edgewood, MD 21040, or to the National Parkinson Foundation (www.parkinson.org) or to any other charity of one’s choice. Online condolences may be made at www.zellmanfuneralhome.com.

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