LEONARD FISHER

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LEONARD (LEN) FISHER Peacefully, and in good health at the age of 96 years, Leonard Fisher took his final flight on Tuesday, December 27, 2016. He was residing at Deer Lodge Centre, Tower 5 and on his last day he had his afternoon drink at Chad's bar, lay down for a nap before supper and peacefully passed away. Remaining to cherish Len's memory are his two children, Gerri (Rob) Rannie and Gordon (Jennifer) Fisher; grandchildren Jackie, Jeff, Sheena, Chelsea and Cassidy; seven great-grandchildren; favourite nephew Jeff Skinner and favourite niece Roberta Dalman. He was predeceased by his parents, Robert Fisher and Marion Neale; sister Audrey Dalman, and his beloved wife, Mildred (Shrader). Len had a lifelong passion for aviation, which began at the age of 11, by taking up the hobby of flying model aircraft. He would twice represent Manitoba at the Canadian National Exhibition in Toronto and achieved the status of Canadian Junior Modeling Champion at age 13 in 1934. In his teenage years, Len took a few hours of flying lessons, but the Second World War was the springboard to a lifetime of flying. He rose to the rank of Flight Lieutenant in the R.C.A.F. and by war end had logged 1763 flight hours, with the last year of the war stationed in England. January of 1947 began Len's brief career as Captain for Royal Dutch KLM Airways. He logged many hours flying to destinations in Europe, Africa, Asia and the USA. In 1949, Len resigned from KLM and returned to Canada. 1950 would begin the rest of his flying career in Brandon, employed with the Brandon Flying Club and Maple Leaf Aviation in his semi-retirement. He took his final flight in 2003; with a flying career that spanned 62 years and over 30,000 hours in the air. In all of his years of flying, Len had three flying mishaps; the first in the Second World War with a mechanical problem that resulted in a crash landing, the second in 1953 being a major crash while crop dusting and striking a telephone line in the setting sun, and the third an emergency landing in a snow-covered field as a result of a frozen fuel line. His major crash led to almost one year in the Winnipeg General Hospital and a lifelong impaired stride and a compromised foot. After release from hospital and before resuming flying in 1954, Len was the first weather reporter on the fledgling CKX television station, using his cane as a pointer to the weather map. Len was married to Mildred Shrader for 65 years until her death in 2012. Their wedding took place in January 1947, two days before they left for a three year adventure working for KLM and living in Amsterdam. Len and Millie were blessed with two children, Gerri in 1953 (born three days before his almost critical crash) and Gordon in 1959. They lived in the same house on 26th Street in Brandon for 55 years and after Millie's death, Len moved to Winnipeg to be closer to his family. He lived independently until September 12, 2016, at which time he moved to Tower 5 at Deer Lodge Centre. Len lived a full and interesting life and he prided himself in being very independent. He reluctantly gave up his driver's license at age 93 and frequently reminded us that he dearly missed three things - his wife, his house and his car. He also often told us one of the disadvantages of living to such an old age was "all of your friends have kicked the bucket." In compliance with Len's request, no formal Funeral Service was held. His family will gather at Len and Millie's Graveside in spring 2017 for a final toast to lives well lived. "Chin Chin" as Len always said, while raising his glass. His final resting place is in the Veterans' section at Brookside Cemetery and in keeping with his wishes, Millie was buried with him. We are grateful to the staff on Tower 5, Deer Lodge Centre, for their wonderful care - as Len said, "Best place I've lived in for a long time!" Wojcik's Funeral Chapels & Crematoriums, Winnipeg, 2157 Portage Avenue, 204.897.4665 www.wojciksfuneralchapel.com

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jan 14, 2017