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EVERETT FRANK LEESON

August 25, 2010

LEESON, Everett Frank

November 23, 1920 ~ August 25, 2010

It is with much sadness that the family of Everett announces his sudden and peaceful passing on August 25, 2010 in Nanaimo, BC at the age of 89.

Everett was born on November 23, 1920 in the small Lake Huron fishing community of South Bay Mouth, Ontario where he spent his formative years surrounded by the fishing traditions of his pioneer ancestors. After a short stint in the Merchant Marine, Everett joined the RCAF in 1941 and was sent to the west coast of British Columbia where he met his future wife, Louise (Powerll) in 1942 at Ucluelet, BC. Shortly thereafter he was posted to England and served as a ground crew member mostly with RCAF 426 Bomber Squadron. Everett was then formally attached to the RAF and spent the remainder of the war on the sea tasked with rescuing downed Allied Airmen in the English Channel, North Sea, at D-day and in the Mediterranean being mentioned in dispatches for personally rescuing a drowning pilot. He remained a member of the Royal Canadian Legion.

Everett was discharged in 1946 and returned to marry his first love, Louise. After several years in Toronto and other Ontario locales, the couple returned to Port Alberni, BC where he worked as a Stationary (Steam) Engineer for MacMillan Bloedel (Alberni Pacific Division). After the untimely death of Louise in 1982, Everett continued to work until his retirement in 1985 and eventually relocated to Nanaimo, BC.

He never lost his youthful love of the water and spent may years sport fishing on Vancouver Island. All his children remember his excitement and his famous “Got one!” when a large salmon hit the line. Age forced him to sadly hang up his fishing rods, but as usual he simply rolled up his sleeves and got on with life. Everett also had “itchy feet” spending many winters in Arizona and traveling to Mexico, Europe, Alaska, New Zealand and Ontario.

Dad was deeply involved in genealogy and published a wonderful Leeson family history book in the early 1970’s. He was fortunate to have gone to Ontario this last summer and attended a large Leeson family reunion near Orangeville, Ont. where he was honoured as one of the patriarchs of the Leeson clan. His detailed knowledge and hard work on our collective history will continue to serve as a priceless legacy to all his descendants and relatives everywhere.

Everett is survived by his children James (Renate) of Victoria, Terry (Beverly) of Brisbane, Australia, Roy (Karen) of Victoria, Maureen Parsons (Ray Satermo) of Nanaimo, and Michael (Sabina) of Victoria; grandchildren: Heather (Darryl Chan), Ian, Jacinta, Colin, Neil, Nicole, Michael and Oshin; great grandchildren: Matthew and Riley, and long time friend and companion May King.

Dad always made time for his children and grandchildren and will be fondly remembered as a father who cared for and supported those he loved. You will be sadly missed by all of us Dad, but we have the special knowledge that you lived your life to the fullest and left us the way you wanted to - at peace and with a smile on your face.

Sands ~ Nanaimo

(250)753-2032



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