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LEON EDOUARD DELANNOY Obituary pic

LEON EDOUARD DELANNOY

Born: Mar 10, 1942

Date of Passing: May 22, 2021

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LEON EDOUARD DELANNOY
March 10, 1942 - May 22, 2021

Leo went home and he will meet us there. And just at the moment when we say "Leo is gone," there are other eyes watching him coming and other voices ready to take up the glad shout "Here Leo comes!"
Leo headed home at the age of 79, surrounded by loved ones who bid him farewell and who will continue to honour his legacy by living their lives to the fullest.
Leo was a great man, husband, father and grandfather. He was a successful businessman, musician, author, collector, athlete and scholar. Those who knew Leo, knew he had a passion for music. When words fail, music speaks, he would say. Leo retired at the young age of 40 to pursue his dream of playing the violin. And he became a great violinist. Leo played in several bands and orchestras, including the Southglen Fiddlers and Winnipeg POPS in Winnipeg and the Parkdale Symphony Orchestra in Ottawa. His music would reach into your soul and wash away the dust of everyday life, allowing love and joy to dance freely around your heart. Leo shared his music with so many people and he loved playing for the sick and the elderly. He spread so much happiness through his music and uplifted the lives of everyone who listened.
Leo also loved adventure and exploring new ideas, new things and new places. At the age of 75, Leo made the bold decision to move from Winnipeg to Ottawa so that he could be close to his kids and grandkids. He built a beautiful home on the Ottawa River, where he welcomed everyone. Leo was fortunate to have travelled a lot and his favourite trip was Peru, where he climbed Machu Picchu. He also loved the water and many would see him swimming and floating in Gull Lake, Ottawa River or the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. Others would see Leo go by on his paddle board, smiling and waving.
Above all, Leo loved his family and he looked forward to dinners where the table was surrounded by loved ones. He adored his grandchildren and his grandchildren adored him. The grandchildren called him "Opa" and their Opa was their hero – a strong man with a huge sense of humour, overfilling with love and care and the ability to fix everything. They are all grateful that they are becoming a more fully realized human being, a more caring, compassionate and empathetic person because of their Opa. And still, they would forfeit any of Opa's wisdom for the sake of having him back.
Leo is now home with his mom and dad and his brothers, Ben, Gilbert and Denis, where they are most certainly dancing to the music, laughing and playing cards. They are waiting for us to join them, somewhere very near. And in a brief moment, all will be as it was before.
Leo is survived by his wife of 54 years, Marie-Josee; his daughters, Tina (Vince) Colizza, Sylvie (Corey Ward) Delannoy; his son Leon (Monika) Delannoy and his beloved grandchildren, Nicholas, Chrissy, Sammy, Sophia, Ally, Enzo, Isaac, Damien, Madeleine, Mireille, Katie and Lexy.
Leo's life, his influence, his energy are inextricably linked to ours and we take comfort in that. We take comfort in knowing that Leo is no longer in pain and that suffering is no longer something he has to endure.
The love Leo spread on this earth continues to grow and will live on – and that is the ultimate measure of a human being.
A celebration of Leo's life will take place at a later date, where we will gather and dance to music, eat great food, laugh and clink our glasses as we toast to a most remarkable man, Leo Delannoy.

They are not long,
the weeping and the laughter,
Love and desire and hate:
I think they have no portion in us after
We pass the gate.
They are not long,
the days of wine and roses:
Out of a misty dream
Our path emerges for a while, then closes
Within a dream.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on May 29, 2021

Condolences & Memories (11 entries)

  • Tina and family, we are so very sorry for your loss. Keeping everyone in our hearts at this challenging time.🙌💕🙏 - Posted by: Christianne & Jim Monico (and family) (Friend) on: Jun 04, 2021

  • Our condolences to Tante Marie-Josee and family. Leon was always chill, smiling and enthusiastic. He seemed to have the balance of life figured out. He will be missed. - Posted by: Chris & Krista Kauffman (Nephew) on: Jun 03, 2021

  • C'est avec grande tristesse que j'ai appris le dĂ©cès de notre cher confrère LĂ©o. Mes sincères condolĂ©ances Ă  toute sa famille, ainsi qu'Ă  nos confrères du «Collège de St-Boniface» (aujourd'hui l'UniversitĂ© de St-Boniface) dont je garde de très bons souvenirs. - Posted by: LĂ©o Poncelet (Confrère du Conventum 1961) on: May 31, 2021

  • CondolĂ©ances et sympathie Ă  la famille de Leo. He will be missed by all in the viola section of Parkdale Orchestra. - Posted by: JosĂ©e Gagnon (Friend, from orchestra) on: May 30, 2021

  • I had the pleasure of playing with Leo in the Parkdale Orchestra viola section. His dedication to the group, his warm spirit and sense of humour will be greatly missed. My condolences to all of his family and loved ones. - Posted by: Vanessa Kraus (Orchestra friend) on: May 30, 2021

  • My sincere and heartfelt condolences to Aunt JosĂ©e, Tina, Sylvie and Leon. I remember Uncle Leo as a musician and art collector when I would accompany my dad to your house. He will be missed yet always near your heart. - Posted by: Marc Delannoy (Nephew) on: May 29, 2021

  • I hold my relatively brief friendship with Leo, who joined the Parkdale Orchestra in Ottawa as a violist several years ago as one of the high points in my musical life. Leo was so very kind, encouraging, patient and had an endearing sense of humour. We enjoyed playing together in the orchestra and in our homes during the short time we knew each other. It seemed the door had just opened on our friendship, and we looked forward to a future of sharing music together and sharing fellowship with our spouses. I will miss you, Leo. I feel blessed to have known you, even for a short time. - Posted by: Bruce Taylor (Friend in music) on: May 29, 2021

  • My condolences to all the family. I have fond memories playing with Leo in the Winnipeg Pops Orchestra and the Consort of Friends. Wonderful days playing chamber music at Gull Lake. Lots of music and friendship. Ann Hanks - Posted by: Ann Hanks (Friend) on: May 29, 2021

  • My condolences to all the family. I have fond memories playing with Leo in the Winnipeg Pops Orchestra and the Consort of Friends. Wonderful days playing chamber music at Gull Lake. Lots of music and friendship. Ann Hanks - Posted by: Ann Hanks (Friend) on: May 29, 2021

  • I have known Leo for many years playing violin together in many groups around Winnipeg. I especially enjoyed our times at the Star Lake Chamber Music Festival each year. His talent, kind manner and smile will be truly missed. - Posted by: Susan Partridge (Music friend) on: May 29, 2021

  • Beaucoup de bons souvenirs me reviennent alors que je pense Ă  LĂ©on. Marie-JosĂ©e, que l'amour de la famille et des amis vous rĂ©confortent en ces journĂ©es difficiles. Mes plus sincères condolĂ©ances. - Posted by: Laurent Bisson (ami/confrère de classe) on: May 29, 2021

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