Dr. Leonard P. Fletcher
1927-2021
Fletcher, Dr. Leonard
P.
1927-2021
With sadness, we announce that Leonard passed away peacefully
at Guelph General Hospital on Monday, March 22, 2021. Lovingly
remembered, he is survived by his wife of 56 years, Hilda, their
children Greg (Sonja Salmon), Mitalene (Clark Warner) and George (Kim
Kehler), grandchildren Marcus, James, Layla, and Charlotte. Also
survived by his brother Cuthbert Fletcher (Beula) and dozens of
beloved nieces, nephews, and extended family around the world.
Predeceased by parents, Oswin and Elizabeth and siblings Beryl, Myra,
Theresa, Osmund, Archie, and Dennis.
Born in Perdmontemps, Grenada, Leonard began his career as a
teacher at St. Dominic’s School in the Parish of St. David,
and later joined Grenada’s civil service. Seeking greater
opportunity, in 1953 he joined the industrial workforce in
Curaçao. His great ambition was to study at a
university, so with savings from work on the oil refineries, he made
his way to Mount Allison University where he completed his Bachelor of
Commerce (Hons) and Accounting in 1959. He went on to earn his PhD in
economics from Brown University in 1964 and began his decades-long
university teaching career. He was recruited by the University of
Waterloo in 1965, becoming the 4th faculty
member of the economics department. He taught at
Waterloo for nearly three decades, retiring in 1994.
While raising his family, he sponsored siblings and many
other relatives from Grenada, Trinidad, and Barbados in their
immigration to Canada, so that they, too, could pursue greater
opportunity.
Len was passionate about the arts. He enjoyed all sorts of
music, attended the theatre in Stratford and Toronto and was a
long-time season ticket holder for the KW Symphony
Orchestra.
Also passionate about personal finance and investing, Len
founded the Caribbean Canadian Investment Club in 1974. Club
members saw their success covered in The Financial Post
in 1979. Len was a founding member of the K-W
Caribbean Canadian Cultural Association, which was co-founded by his
wife Hilda. They were members of St. Andrews Presbyterian Church,
Kitchener for nearly 40 years and served as elders
there.
Leonard faced and fought periodic health challenges over the
last few years, managing them all with the disposition of a
researcher. His resilience was remarkable. We will miss his deep
spiritual wisdom and his commitment to Black
excellence.
In-person attendance will be limited so please
enquire with the funeral home to join the celebration
virtually. Please understand that we will be following
social distancing protocols due to COVID-19. The ceremony
will be a private one, by invitation only and masks are
required. We ask that you do not visit if feeling unwell or
have been in contact with someone who has tested positive for
Covid-19. On Monday, March 29, 2021, there will be a short
visitation from 11 a.m. – just prior to the funeral service
at 12:00 p.m. at GILCHRIST CHAPEL –
McIntyre & Wilkie Funeral Home, One Delhi Street,
Guelph. Interment to follow at Parkview
Cemetery, Waterloo. As expressions of sympathy, in lieu of
flowers, please make donations to Diabetes Canada
(1-800-226-8464). We invite you to leave your memories and
donations online at: www.gilchristchapel.com
and they will be forwarded to the family.
19272021
Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de Dr Leonard P Fletcher 19272021..
Décès pour la Ville:Guelph, Province: Ontario