Ladouceur, Wilford Leon (Leo)
July 26, 1917 - January 19, 2007
Leo passed away at the Fraser Canyon Hospital in Hope, BC on January 19, 2007 into his 90th year.
He is predeceased by his wife, Fern and daughters, Donalda and Colleen. Leo is survived by his loving family, sons: Allan (Rose), Larry, Duane (Josie), Donald (Bev), Warren (Carol) and Clifford (Debbie); brothers: Gibb of North Vancouver, BC, Norbert (Elaine) of Courtenay and sisters: Edith and Orma from Alberta. He is also survived by numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
Leo was born in Imrie, AB on July 26, 1917. He married the love of his life, Fern on December 16, 1939 and then moved to Bowser, BC. Together they raised eight children.
Like most other young men, Leo served his country when he joined the Canadian Armed Forces in 1942. After his military days the family moved to Qualicum Beach, BC where for many years, he owned and operated his own bridge building company called R & L Heavy Timber, working side by side with his sons. Upon Leo’s retirement, he spent many years gold panning along the many creeks and rivers in BC. Leo finally settled on Yale, BC along the Fraser River, where he spent many hours sifting through his “Black Sand”. He was also an avid gardener and each year his family and friends enjoyed a wealth of vegetables from his enormous garden. He loved the outdoors and every fall would hike in the nearby mountains looking for his favorite mushrooms. Spending time with his family was very important to him and he was happiest when his “kids” would come and visit him.
A Celebration of Leo’s life will be held on Saturday, February 10, 2007 at Piercy’s- Mt. Washington Funeral Home, 440 England Avenue, Courtenay at 1:00 p.m. The interment will take place at Courtenay Civic Cemetery on Monday, February 12, 2007 at 1:00 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, a donation in Leo’s memory may be made to the Royal Canadian Legion, Branch #228 or the Canadian Cancer Society.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to Dr. Christie, the nursing staff at Fraser Canyon Hospital, the many home care workers who looked after him and to special friends, Glen and Fay Stewart and John Stewart.