James L. Leite

James L. Leite, 53, of Vallejo passed away at his home Friday morning with his wife, two daughters, sister and brother at his side. He was a very strong man and fought bravely in a two-year battle against leukemia. He was born in Oakland and lived all over California throughout his life, settling in Vallejo in 1986 when he got married and started his family. He served in the Navy on the USS David R. Ray destroyer from 1977 through 1980. He held many different jobs from construction, roofing, welding, landscaper, and building winery caves to becoming a machine operator for over 27 years. He worked his last five years with Collotype Labels in Napa. Jim was an all-around athlete and outdoorsman. In high school he excelled at football, baseball, and track. As an adult, he loved playing softball, soccer, kickball, and bowling. He was an avid fisherman and hunter, and he enjoyed riding his motorcycle, camping, and playing at the beach. His greatest passion was coaching soccer. He coached multiple teams for his daughters and nieces, both recreational and competition. For the past 20 years, he was the head coach for the Bruins’ varsity soccer teams at St. Patrick/St. Vincent High School. He also helped coach the water polo and ladies’ softball teams over the years. Jim is survived by his wife Rene’; children Jamie Friedman, Leilani and Rosann Leite, Jennifer Nichols, and Eric, Clayton and Cheyenne Tucker; grandchildren Peyton Dingman, Taylor Balk, Robert Morgan, James Ristovski, and Aurora Smith; brothers Greg , Andy, David and Daniel Treadway; and sisters Leilani Bulik, Shelley Lauer, Lauri Thurston, and Donna Cloudas. Jim had a huge heart and touched many people’s lives. He was dearly loved and will be greatly missed by all of his family and friends. Visitation will be on Friday, February 15th, from 3-7 p.m. at Twin Chapels Mortuary on Tennessee Street in Vallejo. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, February 16th, at St. Basil's Church in Vallejo. Burial will be private. Reception will follow the funeral - location to be announced. If you would like to make a food donation for the reception, please contact Phyllis Gaoiran at (925) 890-1206. If you would like to make a monetary donation in Jim’s memory, the family would like them made to the St. Patrick/St. Vincent High School Women’s Soccer Program c/o St. Patrick/St. Vincent High School, 1500 Benicia Road, Vallejo.

James L. Leite

April 23, 1959 - February 8, 2013