Thomas Robert Leathers

Thomas Leathers, 72, of Minneapolis died peacefully June 18 at MHealth Fairview Hospital in Minneapolis, after a month-long struggle with acute cardiopulmonary disease. Tom is survived by his sister Ruth (Cliff Tessling) and his dear friend Jan; and his cousins Bill (Vi) Leathers, David (Marina) Ford, and Deb (Todd) Rediger. He was preceded in death by his parents, Dorothy (Hayes) Leathers and William B Leathers, and cousin Beth Leathers.

Tom attended St Anne’s elementary school on the North Side, and St John’s high school. He was passionate about music from an early age, learned to play the guitar, and as an adult performed with several bands. Tom coped heroically with schizophrenia most of his life; and in later years, also with tardive dyskinesia and Parkinson’s. Tom was a sensitive, intelligent, empathetic, and loving person, and we will miss him deeply.

A funeral Mass for Tom will be celebrated on Wednesday, June 26, 11:00 am (visitation one hour earlier), Church of St Frances Cabrini, 1500 Franklin Ave SE, Minneapolis. Burial will follow at Gethsemane Cemetery, 8151 42nd Ave N, New Hope.

In lieu of flowers, please send memorials to Sharing and Caring Hands, 525 N 7th St, Minneapolis, MN 55405, https://sharingandcaringhands.org/

Heartfelt thanks to the staff of MHealth Fairview Hospital and St Therese Long-Term Care for their efforts and compassion for Tom. Thanks also to the congregation and staff of St Frances Cabrini church, where Tom’s mother Dorothy worshipped.