Obituaries

Leo Durand passed away at 97 years. Thank you to the compassionate staff at the East Gate Lodge, Beausejour.

Dad will be remembered and always loved by his children, Sharon (Harold), Lorraine and Rick (Karen); his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his wife Margaret; parents Rene and Antoinette and his two brothers Denis and Fern.

He was born in Letellier, Manitoba and left at 15 years old to work to support his parents. He started his 43-year career with Department of Highways as a general labourer crushing gravel and operating large equipment. In 1947, he had a work-related accident and crushed his arm. This changed the course of his life as he married Margaret, the hospital nurse who took care of him. He began work at the Winnipeg sign shop, and they started their family. In a few years he was transferred to Dauphin and became a senior sign painter for the province.

Dad loved music and he sang at countless weddings and local drama events. He played the clarinet in the Dauphin town band, the saxophone in Dr. Watson’s jazz band and sang in the Dauphin Barbershop chorus along with a local quartet. He enjoyed to garden, fish and cross-country ski. Mom and dad travelled across most of Canada, and after retirement, Dad went to Paris five times to visit his French cousins and fulfilled a dream of singing in the Paris subway.

Dad considered himself lucky to have come from humble beginnings and yet to live a full life in a free Canada. He was quietly proud that their three kids attained university degrees, an opportunity he never had.

Leo rarely complained or said a bad word about anyone. He will mostly be remembered for his quiet and unassuming way and exceptionally kind and gentle heart. We will miss him dearly.