LESLIE WAINWRIGHT -

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LESLIE WAINWRIGHT 1924 - 2009 It is with great sadness we announce the passing of Leslie, our father, grandfather, great grandfather and friend, who passed away October 3, 2009 at Calvary Place Personal Care Home in Winnipeg Manitoba. Les is survived by his brother Fred (Grace) of Kelowna, BC; his children Ken (Jan) of Dauphin, MB; Jim (Carol) of Winnipeg, MB; and Sandra (Greg) Jordan of Portage la Prairie, MB. Grandchildren: Edward, Christopher Leanne Wainwright, Shelley (Trevor) Kryshka of Winnipeg and Kevin Kryshka (Denae Luckwell) with great grandchild Graysen, of Drayton Valley, Alberta. Also through marriage: grandchildren Crystal (Matt) Timm, Kimberly and Matthew Foster and great grandchildren Cameron and Mitchell Timm all of Dauphin. Les was predeceased by his wife of 59 years, Violet; his brother Victor, his sister Evelynn and brother-in-law Jack Holowell, brothers-in-law Rob Mileham, Edward Mileham and sister-in-law Gladys. Les was born in the Weston area of Winnipeg in 1924 where he lived most of his life, met his wife Violet and settled down to start a family. In 1942 Les started work as an elevator operator with the Manitoba Telephone System. When the Second World War started, he joined the Royal Canadian Corps of Signals. Les's leadership skills soon had him working as an instructor and then took him to Officer Training School. He also served as a guard at a prisoner of war camp. When the war ended, Les returned home and once again worked for the Manitoba Telephone System. He held various positions in both the plant and commercial departments and was promoted into management. Les worked in Winnipeg except for a 6 year period when he transferred to Dauphin, MB. He retired in 1981 after 39 years of service. Les remained active in the Canadian Army Reserves, both with the Royal Winnipeg Rifles and for a short stint as Commanding Officer of the 17th Field Battery in Dauphin. His greatest feeling of pride was to become the Commanding Officer of the Royal Winnipeg Rifles, a position he held for 3 years. On retiring from this position, Les took an active part in the regimental museum, bringing it from a room of boxes and old uniforms to a display gallery and a walk back in time which he was proud to display to Prince Charles when he visited Winnipeg. Les was also honored when chosen to be an Aide to the Lieutenant Governor of Manitoba. During retirement, Les spent many hours with Vi working on their cottage at Loni Beach, North of Gimli Manitoba. With the kids leaving home and having an empty nest, Les and Vi eventually sold their cottage and house, and moved into an apartment. When Les became ill, with Alzheimer's dementia, he moved to the Calvary Place Personal Care Home, where he lived till his passing. Les will now be interred, with his wife Violet, in their common alcove in the Last Post mausoleum at Brookside Cemetery in Winnipeg. An inurnment will be held on Tuesday, October 6 at 1:30pm at Brookside Cemetery, followed by a private memorial service and reception at 2:30pm, Calvary Place Personal Care Home, 1325 Erin St., Winnipeg. The family would like to thank Calvary Place for the care Les received while he resided there. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Alzheimer Society of Manitoba, 120 Donald St., Winnipeg, MB. NEIL BARDAL INC. 204-949-2200 nbardal.mb.ca

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Oct 05, 2009