Jean Leccia, 87, of 509 Cary Rd., Hurley, died Saturday morning, Sept. 29, 2007, in his home, following a nine month battle with cancer. Jean was born Nov. 2, 1919, in Peri, Corsica, son of the late Antoine and Francoise (Salasca) Leccia, and attended elementary school in Corsica. He then left school to help support his family. At the age of 18, he was drafted into the French Army, serving in the 23rd Regiment of the Colonial Infantry of Paris. When war broke out in 1939, Jean was taken prisoner by the Nazi's in 1940. During that time as a prisoner, he worked for the German people as a builder, factory worker, foundry worker, farmer and logger. He was liberated by the U.S. Army in 1945 and returned to Corsica. Jean went to Grenoble, France in 1947 to be a machinist, and came to Hurley on Aug. 5, 1949 and worked in the Cary Mine until it closed in 1964. He then was employed as a tool and die maker at Brettings Manufacturing in Ashland, retiring in 1982. He became a U.S. citizen on May 5, 1955. Jean was an active member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Hurley where he served as an usher and eucharistic minister and belonged to the Holy Name Society. He was also a member of Hurley Knights of Columbus Council 669 and the Golden Years Seniors, having served as an officer in that organization. He was an avid downhill and cross-country skiier and enjoyed gardening. Jean was a gentle, kind person who touched the life of everyone he met. He will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved him. On Nov. 7, 1953, he was married to the former Violet M. Vernetti at St. Mary's Church in Hurley by the Rev. James Dabruzzi and the late Msgr. Michael Prock. Violet preceded Jean in death on Aug. 5, 2006. Surviving are a son, James, Salt Lake City, Utah; two daughters, Jeanne Erickson, Madison, and Jocelyn (Gary) Giancarlo, Spring Hill, Fla.; four grandchildren and five great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews and brothers-and sisters-in-law. Besides his parents and wife, Jean was preceded in death by a brother, Rene; and sisters, Marie, Gracieuse, Hyacinthe, Antoinette Jeromine, and Francoise. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Wednesday, Oct. 3, at 11 a.m., at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Hurley, with the Rev. Michael Hayden, celebrant. Cremation will take place. Luncheon will be served in the parish hall immediately following the service. Rite of Committal and interment will be in St. Mary's Cemetery, Hurley. Relatives and friends may call at the church beginning at 10 a.m. on Wednesday. Pallbearers will be William and Steven Erickson, Donald and John Vernetti, and Charles Colassaco Sr. and John Colassaco. In lieu of flowers, donations to the American Cancer Society would be appreciated. To view Jean's obituary online, sign the register book and express condolences, visit mckevittpatrickfuneralhome.com. Arrangements are with McKevitt-Patrick and Engstrom Funeral and Cremation Services of Ironwood and Hurley