WILLIAM LESLIE

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WILLIAM LESLIE de LAROQUE On Monday, June 24, 2002, at the Dr. Evelyn Memorial Hospital, Stonewall, peacefully after a long hard-fought battle with illness. Dad was born on August 25, 1918, at Argyle on the family farm to Charles and Joan de Laroque. He continued to reside and work on the farm for 83 years. He was predeceased by his parents; his brother Percy; and father and mother-in-law, Fred and Marvel Boyd. Les took over the family farm when his father died and continued to operate his dairy farm until injury forced him to sell the dairy in 1972. He continued to help out on the farm until he retired in the early 1980s. After he retired, he kept busy making lawn ornaments, name signs and many woodcarvings. He won many awards and ribbons for his carvings. All his family and grandchildren have some of his creations to remember him by. All through his life, Dad gave to his community. He was a member of the Registered Holstein Association, served as school trustee for Brant-Argyle School. He was church warden for St. Oswalds Church for over 30 years. His passion for hockey never faltered. He was president of the Highway 6-7 hockey league for many years, as well as coaching when the boys were small. In 1954 he married Jean Boyd; together they raised two sons and one daughter. He is survived by his wife Jean; sons, Fred (Beth), and Rod (Barb) daughter Val; son-in-law Norm Blagden; sister-in-law Elsie de Laroque; brother-in-law Bob Boyd (Lorraine). One of his great joys were his grandchildren, Amanda, Tanya, Morgan, Travis, Crystal, Cheryl, Candace, Justin, Charlie and Dylan; numerous nieces and nephews. As Dad requested, all those he had coached in hockey over the years are to consider themselves as honorary pallbearers. He took great pleasure in coaching. His motto was to go out and have fun and everyone got the chance to play no matter what skill level you were. A funeral service will be held at the MacKenzie Funeral Chapel, Stonewall, on Thursday, June 27 at 10:30 a.m. Rev. John Stennett will officiate. Interment to follow at St. Oswald Cemetery. If friends so desire, memorial donations may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation. MacKenzie Funeral Home, Stonewall in care of arrangements.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jun 26, 2002