GAVIN
Leo Roderick
Jan 28, 1938 - July 12, 2009
Leo ascended to the spiritual realm on July 12, 2009, leaving behind Gwen, his loving wife of 43 years, sons Bob and Leo Wayne and daughter Michelle (Ben), nine grandchildren and one great-grandson. Also survived by brothers Paul (Dorothy), Charles, Gary (Diane) and Joey (Donna), sister Frances, and numerous nephews and nieces. Predeceased by father Leo, mother Gertrude and brother Eugene.
Leo was born and spent his childhood in Leger Corner (Dieppe), N.B. His family moved to Ontario in the early fifties, where his father worked on the Avro Arrow. Leo served in the U.S. Air Force at Goose Bay, Labrador, worked in the oil fields of Alberta, in road construction (Salmo Creston Highway) and drilling wells for water in the Okanagon Similkameen area. He spent many years in Grand Forks where a car accident on Spencer Hill in 1963 left him a paraplegic. He has also lived in Parksville and many other communities in B.C. and 5 years ago moved to the Comox Valley.
Despite 45 years in a wheelchair, Leo was active in many fields: the hospitality industry (Beaverdell Hotel, a Hedley Motel, a Salmon Arm night club), commecial fishing, excavating and property management, among many other things. He owned many classic cars and loved to hunt, fish and travel (all over North America, Mexico, Costa Rica, Belize, Venezuela, Cuba and Africa).
Private family arrangements. Flowers gratefully decline in consideration of donations in Leo's memory to the charity of your choice. The family plans to drill a well in Africa, fulfilling one of Leo's dreams.