Deacon Donald Leach entered eternal life on Sept. 21 at the age of 62.

Born July 6, 1955, Deacon Leach served 25 years as a police officer, retiring as deputy chief of the Ann Arbor Police Department in 2003.

On Oct. 15, 1994, after a period of discernment, he was ordained a permanent deacon of the Archdiocese of Detroit. Over his ministry, Deacon Leach served several parishes, including Resurrection Parish in Canton, Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish in Plymouth, St. Patrick and St. Aloysius parishes in Detroit, and St. Thomas a’Becket Parish in Canton. Deacon Leach had a heart for service, sponsoring a homeless shelter for women in Uganda and supporting mission work in El Salvador through his nonprofit, Bridging International Communities.

Deacon Leach is survived by his wife of 37 years, Mary, and his children Michelle Leach, Christopher Leach and Megan (Brian) McDonald, as well as three siblings, in-laws, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

A funeral Mass was celebrated Sept. 30 at St. Thomas a’Becket Parish in Canton.