Leisy taught everyone how to win the day

When ESPN commentator Stuart Scott accepted the Jimmy V ESPY award in 2014, Scott said, about his fight with cancer, "I'm still here, I'm fighting. I'm not losing."

Scott Leisy, physical education instructor at Clearwater Public Schools and co-coach for the Summerland Bobcat girls' basketball team, said similar words to the Advocate-Messenger in July 2019, in an article which appeared in the July 25th inaugural issue.

Leisy's fight with colorectal cancer lasted a little more than two years. The 34-year-old died early Monday morning, at the family's ranch, north of Atkinson.

He entered hospice care April 2.

Leisy is survived by his wife, Mary, and children, Haydon, Baylor and Jordyn. Mary also teaches in the Clearwater district and Haydon and Baylor are students here.

Leisy's bout with cancer began Feb. 27, 2018. He woke up in the middle of the night with abdominal pain, which did not subside.

After gall bladder problems were ruled out, doctors found a large mass, located in the rectum, and several masses in Leisy's liver.

He and Mary, traveled to the University of Nebraska Medical Center and the Mayo Clinic, seeking treatment options.

By March 27, he started chemotherapy treatments at Avera St. Anthony Hospital in O'Neill. He said it was "awesome" to be able to receive treatment close to home.

In October 2018, Mayo Clinic doctors told Leisy treatments had shrunk liver tumors. In December, a surgeon removed 29 tumors from his liver.

While recuperating, Leisy went seven or eight weeks without chemo and new spots were found, which led to a return to chemotherapy.

Still, he faced the reality of living with cancer with a positive attitude, spending time with his family and playing occasional rounds of golf or a game of basketball.

Leisy was always up front about his prognosis.

"It's simple," he told the Advocate-Messenger. "I will be on chemo until the disease kills me or the medicine kills me."

On Saturday, April 4, a caravan of 163 vehicles from the region formed a parade, passing the Leisy ranch, offering encouragement. A photo essay about Saturday evening's quarantine caravan appears on Page 8 of this issue.

Clearwater Principal Mike Sanne said Leisy had a great personality and loved the kids and adults he worked with.

"From day one of his cancer diagnosis, he had an attitude that everyone admired for being so positive, upbeat and grateful for all blessings of each day. He inspired everyone around him to enjoy all the great things that happen to us on a daily basis," Sanne said. "He taught us all the meaning of 'win the day' throughout the past two plus years while he battled cancer. He was a great father, husband, teacher, sports fan and friend to all that knew him. He will be greatly missed."

Greg Appleby, Summerland head girls' basketball coach, said Leisy and his family were an inspiration to all.

"He taught us what was really important in life and to keep things in perspective, and to value and treasure each day we are given, because we are not promised tomorrow. The players and coaches loved him so much and we will miss him immensely," Appleby said. "We are all broken-hearted for Mary and the kids and will keep them in our thoughts and prayers. We will all keep a part of Coach Leisy with us forever."

In addition to his time as an educator in the Clearwater school district, Leisy taught and coached at schools in Dorchester, McCook, Thedford and St. Mary's in O'Neill.

On Monday, Clearwater Public Schools offered grief counseling, via Zoom, for students.

After news of Leisy's death spread early Monday morning, an outpouring of love and respect was shared on Scott's Squad, a Facebook Page chronicling Leisy's journey with family, friends and former students.

A former student paralleled the journey of both men, with additional words from Scott's acceptance speech. "When you die, that does not mean you lose to cancer. You beat cancer by how you live, why you live and in the manner in which you live."

Leisy believed in the motto, "Win the day."

Each day he reported to work, determined to show surviving cancer is a mindset, modeling to those he leaves behind how to continue to win the day.