Leland Gardner Embry

Cape Elizabeth - Leland G. Embry, 83, passed away on September 24, 2024. He was born on October 19, 1940, in Phoenix, Arizona, the son of the late Allene Gardner and William Embry. After World War II, Leland settled in San Francisco with his mother who worked hard as a typist to support the family, pursuing a career in public service and government work. Leland went on to attending high school at St. Francis Salesian boarding school in Watsonville, CA. In 1967 he graduated from San Francisco State College with a Bachelor degree. In 1968 he obtained his Master in Business Administration in Taxation at Golden Gate University and became a Certified Public Accountant (CPA). In 1987, while working full-time at Bank of America’s tax department, he completed his Doctor in Jurisprudence (JD) at Golden Gate University and passed the California Bar exam on his first attempt. In the late 1990s, Leland had pivotal moments of reflection that led him back to his Catholic faith after several decades. He returned to the Church knowing that the Mass had changed since the 1970s, but his spiritual journey deepened from that point on. In 2000, Leland met his future wife, Diane Guay, in Québec City while she was serving the Church as a tour guide at the Jesuits’ Chapel. Leland had come to venerate the relics of the martyr St. John de Brébeuf for whom he had a special devotion. He was disappointed to find out that the relics had been transferred to Midland, Ontario, but was pleased to be able to discuss the faith with Diane. After he went back to San Francisco, their conversations about Catholicism brought them closer. They married a year later, on August 18, 2001 at St Michel of Sillery Church, in Québec City. An avid reader, Leland especially loved reading St Thomas Aquinas’ comments on St. John’s Gospel and about the dogma and history of the Church, which he read at night. His devotion for the Traditional Latin Mass, for the Blessed Virgin Mary and the Rosary were also important aspects of his spiritual life. Though he had a quiet and reserved nature, Leland enjoyed deep and meaningful conversations, particularly about theology and his Catholic faith, but also politic and the justice system. He loved playing golf and strived to develop the perfect swing. He strived for perfection in everything he did, including his intellectual pursuits. He had a brilliant mind and love to keep on learning. Leland is survived by his beloved wife, Diane Guay Embry of Cape Elizabeth, Maine; his two daughters, Lisa of Arizona and Karen of Oregon; and his granddaughter, Halime, Karen’s daughter. He will be deeply missed by his family, friends, and community. Visiting hours will be held on Thursday, Oct. 3, from 4-6pm at the Conroy-Tully Walker South Portland Chapel, 1024 Broadway. A Requiem Funeral Mass will be offered at 10am on Friday, October 4, at the Chapel of the Cathedral of Immaculate Conception, 307 Congress Street, Portland. Burial will immediately follow at Calvary Cemetery, South Portland. Donations may be made in Leland’s memory to the following organizations (FSSP) Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter Seminary, Denton NE, https://fsspolgs.org/donations/; Benedictines of Mary, Gower, MI, https://benedictinesofmary.org/support-us/; Carmel of Jesus Mary and Joseph, Fairfield, PA, https://www.fairfieldcarmelites.org/take-action