A Tamaqua native now living in Lehighton has been named as the grand marshal for the Tamaqua Memorial Day Parade. Kaye B. Leiby will be the honoree as Tamaqua observes the 150th anniversary of the creation of the national holiday to honor America’s men and women who gave the ultimate sacrifice for their country.

Born in 1929, he is the son of the late Irwin and Grace (Barrett) Leiby and spent his youth living on Arlington Street.

After graduating from Tamaqua High School in 1948, he enlisted in the U.S. Army, completing basic training at Fort Bliss in Texas. Following that, he attended engineering school in Virginia. As a member of the Fourth Infantry Regiment, Leiby was assigned to a post in Fairbanks, Alaska, where he served as a ski trooper.

After his discharge in 1952, he went to work for the Atlas Powder Company in Reynolds for six years before his employment with the Tastykake Baking Company. While with Tastykake, he lived and worked in Williamsport, Altoona and Lehighton before retiring in 1988.

He married the former Louise Bower and the couple had three children: Edward Moran of Tamaqua; Kim Leiby of Cheyenne, Wyoming; and Kathy Carpenter of Lehighton. He also has grandchildren Kyle and Shawn Moran; Chase Carpenter; and Nicolette Leiby.

An avid Penn State fan, Leiby attended every game, including bowl games, for 25 years. He also enjoys a good game of pinochle and trips to the bowling alley.

A member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Lehighton, he served on the Lehighton Sewer Authority for 10 years. He has also been a member of the Tamaqua American Legion, C.H. Berry Post 173; Tamaqua Elks; Tamaqua American Hose No. 1; Lilly Royal Arch Chapter; Lehighton Masonic Temple; Lehighton Veterans of Foreign Wars; Lehighton AMVETS; the 40 & 8 Club of Lehighton; Schuylkill County and Carbon County Shiners Clubs and the Rajah Temple in Reading.

“It’s a great honor to be selected as parade grand marshal,” Leiby said. “I’ve always been proud to be a Tamaqua native. While I was in the Army, I always said my hometown is the closest place to heaven there is.”