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MARIO LEBAR
It is with our deepest regrets that we announce the passing of Mario Lebar on September 24, 2025, at the age of 64. After three years of battling cancer, Mario succumbed to his fight and passed peacefully in his sleep.
Mario is survived by his wife Kathleen, his children, Sophia, James, and Fiona (Connor), his brothers Bryen (Patty Sauder), Tom (Karen), and Joe (Tara), and his nieces and nephews Mark Lebar (Jamie Plummer), Erin Lebar (Nick Jones), Krista Lebar, Eric Lebar, Cameron Lebar, Samantha and Keara Howden. Mario is predeceased by his parents Terezija and Joseph Lebar.
Mario was a smart, kind, and family-oriented man. He found great fulfillment in education; obtaining a B.A. in Economics, an LL.B., and an MBA. Although Mario started out at CN Rail working nights to support his growing family, his career quickly accelerated to managerial positions. After CN, Mario worked for over a decade at the Canadian Wheat Board. Mario spent the last 13 years at the University of Manitoba, ultimately retiring as its Chief Information Officer. Mario was always willing to help colleagues solve problems and strived to create positive change within his workplaces.
Outside of work, Mario found joy being with family, walking and playing with his beloved dog Bear, and golfing with family and friends. Mario was a true storyteller; he could often be found regaling others with stories about family, holidays, and his childhood. Mario was also a wealth of knowledge from his lived experiences, education, and his extraordinary ability to remember facts; he was always the person you would go to first to ask for help.
Mario was a confident leader, a caring friend, a loving brother and uncle, an inspiring father, and a devoted husband. He will be missed immensely.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, September 28, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. at Chapel Lawn Funeral Home and Cemetery, 4000 Portage Ave.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Canadian Cancer Society.
A whole life well lived.
As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Sep 27, 2025
Condolences & Memories (8 entries)
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To Mario's family, I am so sorry for your loss. I worked with Mario at the University of Manitoba back in 2012-2016. He was in IT and I was in Student Engagement. We worked on a number of initiatives together and he was instrumental in helping us (the University) to offer students and staff a much better IT environment so that they could have the best experience. I tried to lure him to South Australia when we were looking for a new CIO...but he knew that his family loved Winnipeg so no matter what the weather or work was, he was committed to being family focused. I have, and always will have, nothing but admiration and fond memories for Mario. One of my fondest was when we were on a golf team: Mario loved going to golf courses for his holidays, two other colleagues were PGA instructors and I was there for fun. We came in second the first year (we should have won) and that's when Mario realized how bad I was at golf...and rather than replace me, he made sure we all purchased mulligans to make up for my lack of skill (we won the second year). Mario: I'll miss you. Thanks for all you did for me personally and professionally. Thanks also for all you did to make the University of Manitoba, Manitoba and the world a better place. I hope you're able to watch over your family and play as much golf as you like, smiling from ear to ear... - Posted by: Brendan Hughes (Friend and former colleague) on: Nov 16, 2025
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Kate, I am so sorry to hear of the passing of your husband. Glen & I are thinking of you & your family Our sincere condolences - Posted by: Leah mcbride & glen brown (Co worker misericordia) on: Nov 02, 2025
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I am very sad to hear this. I worked with Mario and learned much from him beyond IT matters. We also had some good laughs in the short time we worked together. Thinking of his family now. Be at peace. - Posted by: Jordan (Colleague) on: Oct 30, 2025
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So very sorry to read this news! My condolences to you, Kate & your family! May your tears help to wash away some of the hurt, but may the good memories & love remain in your hearts! “BJ” Hiebert MHC - coworker - Posted by: BJ Hiebert (MHC Coworker) on: Oct 05, 2025
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Kate, I'm so sorry to hear of Mario's passing. My deepest condolences to you and your family on the loss of a beloved husband, father and friend. May memories of happy times sustain you. Bev - Posted by: Bev Lesiuk (Former coworker of Kate) on: Sep 29, 2025
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Mario and I grew up just a couple of houses apart, and remember his family very well. I remember playing " football" with him & our neighbour across the street, Andrew (all we did was pass the ball around). He was a kind, gentle soul, and I mourn his passing. I offer my condolences to his family & friends at this difficult time. My thoughts are with you. - Posted by: Maria Martin (Childhood friend) on: Sep 27, 2025
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Mario and I grew up just a couple of houses apart, and remember his family very well. I remember playing " football" with him & our neighbour across the street, Andrew (all we did was pass the ball around). He was a kind, gentle soul, and I mourn his passing. I offer my condolences to his family & friends at this difficult time. My thoughts are with you. - Posted by: Maria Martin (Childhood friend) on: Sep 27, 2025
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My condolences to the family. Mario was a fine friend from our Nelson McIntyre and U of M days and his love of learning served him well. When it was time for a story , you knew it was time to settle in for a fine journey and this was an endearing part of his charm. We are poorer for his passing . - Posted by: Terry Sparling (Friend) on: Sep 27, 2025