JOHN E. LEAKEY
Oct 2, 1927 – Oct 26, 2015
John Everard Leakey passed away peacefully in the early hours of Oct 26, 2015 at Stanford Place Care Campus, Parksville. He was surrounded by family prior to his passing and he knew how much he was loved and appreciated.
Parksville was a much smaller place when John was born here. His family’s farm on Wright Road was one of many in the area and the village of Parksville itself only had about a dozen businesses and as many homes scattered among them. John attended the same school for 12 years (now MacMillan Art Centre) and grew up in a time when everyone knew everyone. He milked cows every morning and had to deliver the milk in glass bottles in a cotton flour sack slung over his back on his way to school. With his parents, half siblings (Leonard, Dale, Kathleen and Arthur) and sister Jill, the family enjoyed Lee’s Beach (now French Creek Marina) and spent most summers fishing, boating and picnicking. They also enjoyed dances at Errington Hall and Hirst Hall, roller skating at Gill’s Hall, Sports Days at the Community Park or parish picnics hosted by the Women’s Institute.
In 1950, John married Vivian and moved to a small farm on Martindale Road about ¾ mile from the highway. There was no plumbing or electricity so John hand-dug every hole for every power pole, which he personally felled. As a tree faller for 42 years, the latter 40 being at N.W. Bay Division in Nanoose, John was no stranger to hard work. In the early days he used a handsaw, wore an engineer’s cap and a pair of running shoes. He always said the last years were his easiest. He never compromised safety.
John loved to garden and shared the abundance with neighbours and friends. He never wasted a thing and if he felled a tree with a honeycomb in it, he would carefully bring it home to harvest the honey for his famous bread, which he made weekly. John supported many community interests and in retirement, he and Vivian enjoyed years of post-retirement travel together.
John loved the Lord and St. Anne’s Church (Parish of St. Anne/St. Edmund) held a special place in his heart and in his life. He was an honorary Life Warden of the Parish.
Predeceased by all his siblings, John’s life will continue to be celebrated by his beloved wife of 65 years, Vivian, his children, Joanna, Jane, John & Janice and their spouses, as well as his extended family of grandchildren and great-grandchildren. John is also survived by many nieces, nephews and their families. The family would like to thank our Pastor, Rev. Andrew Twiddy, Dr. Desai, and all the caring staff, workers and volunteers at Stanford, who made it a home he enjoyed, especially when he was sitting in the sunny courtyard.
A celebration of John’s life will take place at
St. Edmund’s Church, Parksville on December 22nd, at 1:00 p.m.
Donations in John’s memory may be made to St. Anne’s/St. Edmund’s Anglican Church Parksville, or please consider any charity championing environmental causes or perform a random act of kindness.