Sam LESKIW

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LESKIW: Sam Leskiw of Brandon, MB passed away Oct. 1, 2014 at Dinsdale Personal Care Home. Sam was the beloved husband of Laurena “Ena” (nee Clark), Father of Sheldon (Diane) Leskiw of Calgary, AB and Wendy (Ron) Lesy of Airdrie, AB. Grandfather of: Chris (Anjli) and Brian (Kayla) Leskiw, and Melissa, Melanie and Darren (Melissa) Lesy, Great-grandfather of: Kowen and Nykin Leskiw, Logan Leskiw and Rylan and Presley Lesy. Sam and his twin brother Peter were born in Brandon, MB June 6, 1922 to Nick and Dora Leskiw of Brandon. Sam was predeceased by his parents, older brothers Morris and Joe Leskiw of Brandon and his twin brother Peter of Lethbridge, AB. He was educated at David Livingston, Earl Haig and Brandon Collegiate Institute. In the 1940’s, Sam worked in Windsor, ON assembling army jeep parts for WWII before joining the Highland Light Infantry. The Regiment was quickly sent overseas to Britain and to the front war trenches in Holland, Belgium, France and Germany. Peter in the Princess Pats Regiment also fought in the front lines and trenches while Joe served in the RCAF in Canada. After Peace was declared in 1945 Sam spent a further year with the Canadian Army Occupation Forces over there to ensure Holland and Belgium could reclaim all their land taken by the Nazis. Returning home in July, 1946 after his discharge, Sam was hired by the Manitoba Power Commission (now Hydro) in Brandon for their new rural electrification program about to begin in all the towns/farms in Manitoba. In bringing “the light to the town and farms of Grandview in 1947”, as Sam called it, he met Laurena (Ena) Clark. She became his bride in 1950. Sam worked 40 years with MB Hydro throughout the province but spent the last 20 years working in the Brandon area where they resided. In retirement, many summer days were spent at their Clear Lake cabin enjoying the lake weather, fishing and socializing with friends at the outdoor kitchens. Sam was an avid twice a week swimmer at the Sportsplex for years, a gardener and a “snow shoveller” for his property and the neighbours . In winter they escaped part of MB winters by becoming Snowbirds camping in Texas, Arizona and Florida where many new friendships were made. They travelled to Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Alaska with cruises to Panama and to the Caribbean countries where Ena had taught. In April 27, 2011 Sam suffered a severe stroke while in Hawaii with family for their 61st anniversary. This stroke left Sam paralyzed in the right leg, in a wheel chair and unable to walk. Sam, forever optimistic, never gave up trying to walk right to the last day. Another stroke in September 2013 affected his left side and caused Sam to transfer to Dinsdale Personal Care Home as Ena was no longer able to take care of him at home. Sam was a member of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 3 for 60 + years , Trinity United Church for 50 + years. The Brandon Hydro-Ex Group and a life member of the Sokol Association The celebration of Sam’s life was held in Memories Chapel on Monday, October 6, 2014 with Arlene Robertson officiating, the eulogy given by a friend - Pat Bowslaugh-, and a slide presentation highlighting Sam’s life. The Brandon Royal Canadian Legion 3 provided the last military honours of death with the Last Post and Reveille followed by the laying of their poppies by his urn and war medals. Urn carriers were Chris Leskiw and Melissa Lesy. Burial was in Brandon Cemetery Veterans’ Section. Donations in memory of Sam may be made to Dinsdale Personal Care Home, 510- 6th St., Brandon, MB, R7A 3N9, or to the Heart and Stroke Foundation.

As published in Brandon Sun on Oct 18, 2014