Reverend Michael F. Leshney died on Sunday, March 27, 2022, in Cincinnati, Ohio. He was born on November 15, 1945, in Cincinnati. He did his preparatory studies at St. Gregory Seminary and studied theology at Mount St. Mary’s Seminary of the West. He was ordained on June 2, 1973, at St. Peter in Chains Cathedral, Cincinnati, by Archbishop Joseph L. Bernardin.
Father Leshney received his first assignment on June 20, 1973, as a resident associate at Teresa of Avila Parish, Price Hill (Cincinnati). On July 1, 1977, he was appointed to teach at Elder High School, Cincinnati, while continuing as resident associate at St. Teresa of Avila Parish. On June 30, 1978, he was appointed resident associate of St. Catherine of Sienna Parish, Cincinnati, while continuing to teach at Elder. On May 15, 1981, he was appointed resident associate of Assumption Parish, Mt. Healthy (Cincinnati), while continuing to teach at Elder. On June 25, 1984, he was appointed chaplain of the Madonna Council, #3891, of the Knights of Columbus. On July 28, 1987, he was appointed resident associate of Nativity Parish, Pleasant Ridge (Cincinnati), while continuing to teach at Elder. On August 1, 1991, he was appointed to the faculty at Moeller High School, Cincinnati, while continuing at Nativity Parish as resident associate. He remained on the faculty at Moeller High School until June 2000. Father Leshney was appointed parochial vicar of Good Shepherd Parish, Cincinnati, on July 1, 2000. On November 6, 2001, he was appointed pastor of Sts. Peter and Paul Parish, Reading, for a period of six years, and reappointed as pastor commencing on November 7, 2007 through June 30, 2008. He was appointed parochial administrator of St. Mary Parish, Bethel, and St. Peter Parish, New Richmond, effective July 1, 2008, and on July 1, 2009, Father Leshney was appointed pastor of the two parishes for a period of six years. He was reappointed as pastor of St. Mary Parish and St. Peter Parish for another six-year term on July 1, 2015. Father Leshney retired on November 1, 2017.
Reception of the Body: Friday, April 1, 2022, at 9:15 a.m. at Guardian Angels Church, 6531 Beechmont Avenue, Cincinnati, Ohio 45230; (513-231-7440.) Celebrant: Reverend P. Del Staigers. Visitation: 9:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m., following Reception of the Body until Mass of Christian Burial.
Mass of Christian Burial: Friday, April 1, 2022, at 11: 00 a.m. at Guardian Angels Church. Celebrant and Homilist: Reverend Anthony J. Marcelli.
Burial: Friday, April 1, 2022, following the Mass of Christian Burial, at Guardian Angels Cemetery, 7150 Beechmont Avenue, Cincinnati, Ohio 45230. Celebrants: Reverend Anthony J. Marcelli and Reverend Thomas M. King.
