LESLIE

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LESLIE McILRAITH April 10, 1933 - November 20, 2003 After a valiant fight, following a heart attack, and despite the extraordinary cardiac care given at the St. Boniface Hospital, we sadly announce the passing of Leslie McIlraith. Born at his parents home in Glasgow, Scotland on April 10, 1933, Leslie went on to become a devoted husband, a dedicated father and a doting grandpa, any one of these, the truest measure of a man. He was predeceased by his parents, Thomas and Marion; his brother Alex and wife Marion. He will be remembered, in work, deed and with love by his wife, Mady; eldest brother, Thomas (Janie) and his two "wee lads," Alex (Sharon) and Andrew (Sherry) two grandsons, Islay and Atticus; as well as his niece, Helen and nephews, Gordon, Douglas and Colin, will carry Leslies memory with them. Leaving school at age 16, Les started his apprenticeship as a dental technician in Glasgow. Circumstance and the call of the sea intervened, and he started at G. & J. Weir, as an apprentice Marine Engineer. After achieving his certificate, he joined the Union Castle Steamship Line and for the next 7 years, the ocean was his home. Ports of call ranged from Capetown and Durban in South Africa, Egypt, Israel and all along the Mediterranean sea. His home ports were London and Southampton. In August of 1961, on the deck of the Braemar Castle," Leslie met Mady Van Leemput, a Belgian girl on her way home after nine years in the Congo. That same year, on December 9, Leslie and Mady were married at the Grand Place in Brussels, Belgium. After coming ashore and starting the life of a family man, Dad worked at Crockatts & Sons in Glasgow. In 1967, Leslie, Mady, and his two young sons embarked on a grand adventure and immigrated to Canada. Settling in Winnipeg, MB, he soon caught on with Manitoba Hydro. Going from Selkirk, to Grand Rapids, to Great Falls and finally back to Winnipegs Waverly Shop, Leslie spent his last 25 years happily settled in Oakbank, MB. In July 1996, Leslie officially retired and finally had the time for all of his projects and interests. In November 2000, he took on a new and joyous task, becoming a grandpa to wee Islay, followed by Atticus in June 2003. Leslies stories and attention to detail were legendary and right to the very end, still had a wink, a grin and a terrible pun at the ready. He had fulfilled his dreams and those of his family, with the simple toil of his hands and the iron will deep in his heart. A celebration of Leslies life will be held on Wednesday, November 26 at 10:00 a.m. at the Transcona Funeral Chapel, 1800 Day St., with Rev. Carol Fletcher officiating. A donation in Leslies memory, to Cardiac Care, care of St. Boniface General Hospital Research Foundation, 409 Tache Ave - Room D1003, Winnipeg, MB R2H 9Z9 would be an appreciated tribute to his generous, thoughtful nature. Per Mare, Per Terras (By Sea and By Land) Transcona Funeral Chapel in care of arrangements.

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As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Nov 24, 2003