LESLIE (LES) WARREN SYKES

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LESLIE (LES) WARREN SYKES

February 25, 1937 - May 31, 2025

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Leslie Warren Sykes, aged 88, who left us suddenly on May 31, 2025, at Victoria General Hospital in Winnipeg.

Born on February 25,1937, in Winnipeg, Leslie lived a life filled with love, laughter and cherished memories. Leslie was a devoted husband, a loving father, and a proud grandfather and great-grandfather.

He is survived by Lydia, his wife of 69 years and their four children, Todd (Shauna), Deborah (Bruce), Glen, and Alison (Chris). His legacy continues through his six grandchildren, Blain (Jackie), Jordan (Laura), Ryan (Sarah), Sean (Jessi), Aidan (Jaden), and Liam, as well as his seven great-grandchildren, Bentley, Owen, Abigail, Jasper, Axl, Samuel, and Hailey.

He was preceded in death by his father William, who passed in 1950 at age 38 when Leslie was only 13 years old, as well as his mother Mary in 2002 and his brother Ronnie in 2022.

Leslie met the love of his life, Lydia Van der Cammen at age 15 and they were married on September 1, 1956. Together in 1960, they started a beautiful family in their lifelong family home on Wolseley Avenue on the banks of the Assiniboine River.

Fresh out of high school at age 15, Leslie applied at Manitoba Telephone System for a summer job and spent his entire 38-year career there where he forged many lifelong friendships. Leslie held various positions of responsibility and ended his career as Inter Carrier Settlements Manager of Finance. He retired at the age of 55, embracing the opportunity to spend more time with his loving family and to pursue his passions and was always present for his family’s milestones and adventures.

Leslie and Lydia were avid gardeners, spending much of their time carefully planting and working in their beautiful south facing river yard. The spring season found them planting an array of flowers and their vegetable garden. They also cherished the wonderful, long-term neighbours. Leslie enjoyed the arts and attended many concerts, plays, musicals and movies. He truly appreciated the creative passion of artists, performers and musicians. Leslie and Lydia loved good food and enjoyed going out to try restaurants and bistros all over the city. Leslie knew the city well and never needed a map or GPS to navigate his way around the city. Summers were spent at beautiful Bird Lake in a cabin which he hand-built with his brother Ronnie in 1960 and which is still in the family. As a family, we experienced many well-planned summer road trips which included camping in British Columbia, Yellowstone, and Niagara Falls that created long lasting memories.

For 40 years Leslie totally enjoyed curling with the MTS crew. He was a big-time fan and loved watching the best curlers in the world. He was an astute sports fan and had real interest in watching a variety of sports in person and on television including hockey, football, golf and even Hawaiian surfing. Winters were also marked by driving the boys and their teammates to hockey games and cheering them on. Leslie was a devoted hockey fan and went to all his sons’ and grandsons’ games.

Leslie had a zest for life and their annual escapes to Hawaii were a testament to his love for travel and adventure. In total, they made 30 trips to the Hawaiian Islands. Les and Lydia enjoyed trips to Europe embracing the customs, people and especially the food.

Leslie was a man of real-life integrity. Known for his kindness, caring nature, a wonderful sense of humour and quick wit, Leslie had a gift for storytelling. He delighted in sharing amusing and interesting tales that brought smiles to those around him. His memory recall and story details were remarkable. His ability to connect with others and his genuine warmth will be deeply missed by all who knew him.

The Sykes family extends their heartfelt gratitude to Dr. Robert Kroeker, Dr. Rusty Albak, and Dr. Cory Knickle for their years of dedicated care of our father and grandfather.

The Sykes family also wishes to extend their heartfelt gratitude to the doctors, nurses and staff at Victoria General Hospital for their dedicated and compassionate support.

As we remember Leslie, let us celebrate a life well-lived, filled with love, laughter and the warmth of family. He will remain forever in our hearts.

A Celebration of Life is planned for Wednesday, June 25, 2025, at St. Charles Country Club, 100 Country Club Blvd. at 2:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Misericordia Health Centre Foundation or St. Boniface Hospital-Cardiac Care, honouring Leslie’s appreciation for the medical professionals who supported him throughout his life.

The family requests that friends visit Leslie Sykes's tribute wall at www.bardal.ca where condolences, photos and stories may be placed for all to see.

Bardal Funeral Home

204-774-7474

Tribute Wall: www.bardal.ca

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jun 14, 2025