Leighton Rand Phraner ’51

Leighton was born March 18, 1930, in Brooklyn to Stanley and Dorothy Rand Phraner. His father and his uncle Boudinot Atterbury were in the Class of 1916, and his grandfather, Francis Phraner, was in the Class of 1879. 

He came to us from Mercersburg Academy. At Princeton he was a member of Prospect Club, roomed with Bob Brush, and sang in the Chapel Choir and Glee Club. He left Princeton in our junior year to pursue a singing career. Well-known for his Gilbert and Sullivan roles, he performed over the years in New York with the Village Light Opera Group and the Little Orchestra Society and sang many leading roles in Hunter College G&S productions. At the same time he began his long career teaching voice. 

By 1978 he had moved to East Haddam, Conn., where he gave singing lessons for 35 years and was a founder of the Connecticut Gilbert and Sullivan Society. 

Leighton died Nov. 4, 2017, and was survived by Robert E. Cumming, his fellow musician and partner of 51 years. He was predeceased by his brother, Stanley; and sisters Elizabeth Davis, Dorothy Rowe, and Adelaide Reese. Memorial contributions to the First Church of Christ, Congregational, 499 Town Street, East Haddam, CT 06423 would be most appreciated.