John M. Leacu, 86, of Ashland passed away Wednesday Jan. 20th after a period of declining health.  Born in Natick, he was the son of the late Michael and Euridice (Zengo) Leacu and husband of the late Eileen (Hill) Leacu who died in 2006.  Mr. Leacu was the owner and operator of Eastern Excavating Co. of Ashland and longtime plowing contractor for the Towns of Ashland and Framingham. Locally known as "Honest John", "The Plow Guy" and "Johnny Plus Tax" his snow plows for sale were a common sight on West Union Street. Never wanting to cheat the Commonwealth out of money, he always placed "+ TAX" on the For Sale sign. He was active in the Town of Ashland serving on several past committees including former Water and Sewer Commissioner, the Ashland Taxpayers Association, and the Ashland Republican Town Committee. John served his country honorably for nine years in the Massachusetts National Guard.

Mr. Leacu is survived by four children; Nancy Conboy and her husband Chet of Franklin; Steven Leacu and his wife Shelley of Ashland; Karen LeDuc and her husband Jacques of Ashland; and Paul Leacu and his wife Sandy of Upton; nine grandchildren, Joseph Leacu of Westborough, Laura McGee of Bridgewater, Christine Leacu of Ashland, Jeanne Bloom of Marlborough, Marianne Conboy of St. Paul, MN, John Leacu of Westborough, David Leacu of Pelham, NH, John Conboy of Lee, NH, and Elizabeth Rapp of Sutton; four great-grandchildren; Shoshana Leacu of Westborough, Meghan McGee of Bridgewater, Juliette Bloom of Marlborough, and Adam Leacu of Westborough.

Mr. Leacu is also survived by one brother; William Leacu and his wife Barbara of Ashland.  He was the brother of the late Arthur Leacu of Newton, James Leacu of San Diego, and Mary Corbett of Natick.

A funeral service will be held Saturday , Jan. 23rd at 11:00am in the Chapel of the Matarese Funeral Home, 325 Main St. in Ashland with burial to follow in Wildwood Cemetery.  Calling hours will be held Saturday from 9:00-11:00am prior to the service.  In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Ashland Emergency Fund, PO Box 112, Ashland, MA  01721.