It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of Leland Merle Sealander on Wednesday, Nov. 18 at the age of 90. Leland was born on April 11, 1930 to William and Alice Sealander of Perham, Maine. Leland was one of 10 children. Russel Sealander of Shingle Springs is Leland’s last surviving sibling.
Leland grew up in Northern Maine and married his childhood sweetheart, Joan Patten Sealander, who passed in 2018.
Leland is survived by his five children: Trudy James of Cave Creek, Arizona, Gregory Sealander of La Crescenta, Michael Sealander of Tujunga, Deborah Petersen of Tujunga and Patricia Moreash of Lake Forest. Leland had 18 grandchildren, 24 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild.
Leland made three trips from Maine to California before finally settling in the small town of La Crescenta in 1959. Leland worked as an automotive mechanic for Lloyd’s Wheel and Brake Service until 1968. He then started a business with his brother-in-law Ernie Allen, known as Lee and Ernie’s Wheel and Brake in Tujunga. Leland finally retired from the automotive industry in 1990 at the age of 60.
Leland was an amazing man who had a blessed life. Leland enjoyed spending time with his family and friends. There was always something going on with the Sealander family. Whether it was their large family Christmas Eve parties, water skiing at Pine Flats Lake, camping at Carpinteria or riding around in Leland’s red dune buggy.
Leland was not a man to sit idle; it was not in his DNA. Leland was an active member at the First Baptist Church of La Crescenta, currently known as Community Life Church. He served as a deacon for the church for several years and was still an active member well into 2020. Leland was a volunteer at Verdugo Hills Hospital for 25-plus years. He also began riding bikes on a regular basis after he retired and completed the Solvang Century Ride many times. He parked his bike in 2017 at the age of 87.
Leland and his wife Joan spent many days throughout their retirement traveling back and forth from California to their homeland of Maine, and all other parts of the country. A lot of their travels on the road were shared with his brother Russel and wife Gloria, as well as with his brother Bill and wife Laurie. They enjoyed visiting Laughlin together. Leland and Joan were also world travelers, visiting places like Israel, Egypt and Austria.
Leland had a life that read like a fairy tale. He cared for this wife for 15-plus years, never complaining, only ever-showing the love he had for his sweetheart of 68 years. Leland especially enjoyed meeting with his friends every Friday for breakfast at Burger King or meeting friends for dinner on Taco Tuesday. Leland loved people so much as they loved him and it was shown in the hugs he gave out everywhere he went. Leland will be sorely missed by all who met him.
Leland has gone home to be with the Lord. In closing, the family will plan a future celebration of his life. We have been truly blessed by our Lord and Savior to have had the honor of being so loved by our parents for so many years. His family would request that in lieu of flowers any donations should be sent to Community Life Church of La Crescenta, 4441 La Crescenta Ave.
