Pascal 'Sax' Leader Dies at 25

The following obituary was submitted on behalf of the Leader family and edited for style.

After years of battling addictions, Pascal Leader — known to everyone as Sax— passed away in his New York City apartment on Saturday afternoon.

Born in Manhattan on March 8, 1988, Leader lived on the East End since he was 3 years old. He lived for a time in England with his parents Graham D. Leader and Jacqui Sedlar Leader before the family settled in East Hampton.

He attended the Hampton Day School in Bridgehampton and graduated from East Hampton High School in 2006.

After graduation, Sax attended National Outdoor Leadership School in Baja, Mexico, and then went to Cabrillo College in Santa Cruz, Calif. He also attended NYC’s School of Visual Arts and various other educational pursuits including acting school.

A gifted artist, his surfer/skater themes adorned t-shirts from his “On Point” company.

In addition to his parents, Leader is survived by his sister, Kira Leader, of Southampton, her fiancé, Trevor Lysogorski, and their children, Torin and Nash. Peter Creegan, his stepfather, and Jasper Creegan, his stepbrother, also mourn his death.

Kira Leader said her brother loved being an uncle. "When Sax was with Torin he had real happiness in his eyes. He was in awe of watching Torin change and transform. Sax got a kick out of the crazy 'boy' things that made Torin so happy and got an equally big kick our of watching Nash and the goofy things babies do," she said. "Sax was so good at mimicking those goofy baby babbles right back! Sax would have wanted a child of his own, and I’m so grateful that God gave him time with mine (for their sake and his).”

He lived with long-time girlfriend Abigail Gawronski, who also survives.

An open viewing will be held at the Springs Community Church on Saturday at 1 p.m., followed by a celebration of his life at 2:30 p.m. The Rev. Tony Larson will preside. Leaders ashes will be spread at his favorite surf spots.

The Leader family requests that donations be made FleaHab Sober Living Environment in Capitola, Calif.

Please join East Hampton Patch in offering our condolences to the Leader family. Share your memories of Sax Leader in the comments below.