Leo H. Layden

Mr. Leo H. Layden, 96, formerly of 119 East Park Terrace, Pittsfield, passed away on September 21, 2017 at Mt. Greylock Extended Care Facility. Born in Pittsfield on October 26, 1920 the son of John and Adorena Layden, he was a 1940 graduate of Pittsfield High School. He was employed by General Electric as an apprentice tool maker until entering the Army Air Corp duing World War II. Mr. Layden attended Radio School in Kansas City, MI. From there he was sent to St. Joseph, MI for Aircraft Simulator School, graduating as a Flight Simulator Instructor. He was then transferred to Romulus, MI as an instructor there for 2 years in the Air Transport Command Wing and one year at Holmstead, FL. He was discharged from the service in 1946. Leo received flight training at Greylock Airways at Pittsfield Airport and graduated as a Pilot Instructor, becoming a Commercial Pilot for Greylock Airways, becoming certified as an Airline Transport Pilot in 1960. Later, Mr. Layden was appointed as an Aircraft Captain and Operations Manager for Yankee Airlines; at their inception of service at the Pittsfield Airport. Later he flew as Captain for Executive Airlines after they purchased Yankee Airlines. At the demise of Executive Airlines, he went to work for Richmore Aviation as a Corporate Aircraft Captain. He retired from the flying profession in 1982, spending winters in St. Augustine, FL. Mr. Layden had accumulated over 20,000 flying hours. He was a communicant of St. Charles Church and a former communicant of St. Mary the Morning Star parish. Leo was a life member of the American Legion Post 446 in Lanesborough, MA. He was beloved brother to Edmond L. Ferriter and Leona R. Serafino; brother in law to Patrick J. Serafino; Uncle to Michael Ferriter, Laurie Altsman, Jodi and James Welch, Eddy Ferriter, Robert Ferriter, Patrick Laughran, Joy, Peter and Nolan Vasile; great uncle to Casey and Christopher Ferriter, Andrew Altsman, Thomas and Joseph Welch, Jarret, Emily and Robert Ferriter, Colleen, Naomi and Kalib Laughran, Penelope Altsman and Isabella Musto. He was predeceased by his sister in law, Regina Ferriter; brother in law, Donald Laughran and by his nephew, Jarret Ferriter. Leo was raised by his beloved aunt, Leona C. Curry, whom he affectionately referred to as ‘Pitaunt’. Funeral Notice: Funeral services for Mr. Leo H. Layden will be Wednesday, September 27, 2017, at 10:30 from the Dwyer Funeral Home, 776 North St., Pittsfield, MA with a Liturgy of Christian Burial at 11 am at St. Charles Church. Burial with full Military Honors will follow in St. Joseph Cemetery. Calling hours at the funeral home will be on Wednesday, September 27, 2017, prior to the Liturgy from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m.. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, care of the Dwyer Funeral Home, in his memory. DONATIONS CAN NOT BE MADE ONLINE, BUT MAY BE MADE THROUGH THE FUNERAL HOME.

Leo H. Layden

October 26, 1920 - September 21, 2017