Rash's Surname Index
Notes for Donald Stewart III LEAS
World class sport fisherman Donald S. Leas III, who traveled the world in search of the best trolling spots, died Thursday at his home of a rare stomach cancer. He was 47.
Mr. Leas was one of eight children of society matron Fernanda Wanamaker and Lilly Pulitzer executive Donald Leas Jr. He was the great-great-grandson of department store founder John Wanamaker.
He was dubbed "Gold Cup Chairman for Life" after heading the annual deep-sea fishing tournament sponsored by the Sailfish Club for the past three years. "He didn't delegate much. He did all the trophies himself," said Ann Sodahl, secretary of the event.
Lighthearted and likable, "he knew every boat, every captain, every tournament, and he knew the days to go fishing," she said.
Nicknamed "Boy" because his parents couldn't decide on a name at first, Mr. Leas learned deep-sea fishing from his father. "He caught his first marlin at 12. He loved it and it became his passion," said his brother, John Leas.
He was a 23-year member of the West Palm Beach Fishing Club and the International Game Fish Association. He competed in numerous tournaments around the world, including Africa, Australia, Venezuela and Mexico. He was invited to compete in the prestigious international Masters Angling Tournament. He was an advocate of the catch-and-release method.
Mr. Leas grew up in New England, the Bahamas and Palm Beach. He attended Boston University and The Wharton School and earned a business degree from Temple University in Philadelphia.
Despite being diagnosed with a rare stomach cancer last year, Mr. Leas continued to compete in fishing tournaments and remains No. 2 on the Sailfish Club's point list. "Stomach cancer and no boat and he's still No. 2. That's pretty competitive," his brother said. "He fought a very courageous battle. He died with his family around him, eating, laughing, crying and reminiscing," his brother said.
Mr. Leas is survived by his wife, Susan; a daughter, Katherine; and twin sons, Thomas and William. A funeral will be held at 4 p.m. today at Bethesda-by-the-Sea Episcopal Church in Palm Beach. Instead of flowers, donations may be made to the Sloan-Kettering Cancer Institute.
tim_omeilia@@pbpost.com
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