Former Pennsylvania Governor George Leader has died. Leader served as governor from 1955 to 1959. The York County native died at his home in Derry Township early this morning. Leader was 37 years old when he became governor in 1955, the second youngest person to be elected to the commonwealth’s highest office.
Governor Corbett Orders State Flags Lowered for Former Governor Leader
Governor Tom Corbett ordered all Pennsylvania flags lowered to half-staff immediately in honor of former Governor George Leader who died today.
Originally from York County, Leader graduated from the University of Pennsylvania and served in the U.S. Navy during World War II, earning the rank of ensign and serving on an aircraft carrier in the Pacific Theater.
During the 1980s and 1990s, Leader and his family established a number of nursing homes and long-term-care facilities. He continued to be active in the business, visiting some of the facilities on a weekly basis.
More recently, Leader was actively involved in Corbett’s effort to reform Pennsylvania’s corrections system. Leader joined the bipartisan effort to make the prison system more efficient and effective.
Flags will remain at half-staff until sunset on the day of his funeral. Service arrangements for the former governor are pending.
The following is a statement from the Democratic Party of York County Chairman Bob Kefauver regarding the passing of former Pennsylvania Governor George M. Leader earlier today.
“The Democratic Party of York County was saddened to learn of the passing of former Pennsylvania Governor George M. Leader.
“Governor Leader was an incredible public servant for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. While Governor, he led initiatives to increase funding to public education; he campaigned to reform Pennsylvania’s state mental hospitals; and, he worked tirelessly to protect the civil rights of African-Americans and other minorities. He was an absolute representative of the hard working people of York County, as well as the entire state.”