It is with a heavy heart that the family of Edmund “Ed” Joseph Legere announce his passing on December 18, 2021 at the age of 96 at his home in Burlington surrounded by his family. A thoughtful individual to the end, Ed gifted his family with a gentle smile before leaving us. Ed was an outstanding person and a beloved father, grandfather, and great-grandfather whose perseverance through health challenges over the past year were a testament to his strength of character, courage, and fortitude. Ed was witty, intelligent, and independent, quick to laugh, a captivating storyteller, and remarkably tech-savvy for his 96 years. His family will remember the wisdom of a lifetime that he imparted, encouraging his loved ones to prioritize relationships, and modeling how to embrace a long-term perspective.
Ed was born on February 26, 1925 to parents Patrick and Henrietta (Forest) Legere in Port Elgin, New Brunswick, where he grew up alongside his six siblings in a small home constructed by his father that didn’t have water or electricity for many years. In his youth, Ed attended school in Port Elgin and continued his post-secondary education at Saint Joseph’s University in New Brunswick where he graduated with a degree in Accounting in 1944. Shortly thereafter, at age 19, he volunteered to join the Canadian Army and served overseas for 2 years during the second World War. He was part of the Infantry Division and subsequently assigned to the 2nd Echelon Headquarters as a member of the Corps of Military Staff Clerks during which he was responsible for reaching out to soldiers whose loved ones back in Canada were trying to contact them.
In 1946 after Ed returned home from the war, he was recruited by the owner of a local canning factory, McGee’s, where he worked as their clerk and Accountant for 2 years. In 1948, Ed and his brother Arsene moved to Ontario where he found employment as an accountant for Remington Rand, a manufacturer of typewriters and other business machines. Soon after moving to Ontario, Ed was introduced to his future wife Margaret (Dalton), and he fondly recalled evenings dancing together at the bandstand under the stars. In November of 1951, Ed and Margaret were married at St. Patrick’s Church in Hamilton and they shared a life together for 49 years. Their first home was on Cope Street in the neighbourhood of Normanhurst in Hamilton – Ed paid $2600 for the home and described it as actually just “two garages pushed together”. In 1955, Ed got a job as an accountant at Ford Motor Company in Oakville where he was a valued employee until his retirement in January 1988.
In 1958, Ed purchased his house on Stanley Drive in Burlington where friends were always welcome, and he and Margaret raised their six children. Through the years, family often gathered here to watch hockey games and cheer on the Habs. Ed called his house on Stanley Drive “home” for 55 years but each summer he and Margaret travelled with their children back to New Brunswick to visit with his family, a trip that Ed continued to make regularly through his life during which he would share a traditional lobster dinner with his cherished loved ones. Ed was fascinated by history and genealogy, and traced back his family heritage through diligent research, discovering that Jacques Leger was his first ancestor to immigrate to Canada in the late 1600s.
Ed was a devout Catholic and actively involved in St. Gabriel’s church as an usher where he had a reputation as a friendly and welcoming face. He was a humble, generous, and charitable individual and helped to provide meals to the needy as a volunteer for the Good Shepherd over 8 years. For 31 years, he served as a member of Knights of Columbus and described many of the people that he met through the organization as his ‘best friends’.
Edmund’s legacy is carried on by his six children – Katherine (Donald) MacLennan, Donald (Janet) Legere, Paul (Chris) Legere, Mark (Amanda) Legere, Nancy (Donald) Bertrand, and Michael (Jennifer) Legere, 15 grandchildren, and 16 great-grandchildren. Ed is predeceased by his wife of 49 years, Margaret, his sisters Albina, Louise, Odele, and Christina, and his brothers Arsine and Harvey. Ed will also be fondly remembered by Linda Lambrianou and family, his many nieces and nephews, especially Sherman (Leah) Niles, as well as an abundance of friends and neighbours. A special thank you to those who, selflessly and generously, helped provide round-the-clock care for Edmund over the past 9 months to fulfill his final wishes to remain at home with family – a truly unparalleled feat, yet for a man who modeled such charitability and compassion though life, Ed was undoubtedly deserving.
Visitation will be held at Smith’s Funeral Home at 1167 Guelph Line on Sunday, December 26, 2021 from 3:00 – 5:00 pm and 7:00 – 9:00 pm. A funeral mass will be offered at St. Gabriel’s Church (2261 Parkway Drive) on Monday, December 27, 2021 at 10:30 am. Due to provincial restrictions, attendees at these services must provide proof of full vaccination status against COVID-19 and wear a mask. We also kindly request that attendees maintain physical distancing. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Knights of Columbus Parish Council 10061 or a charity of your choice.
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Saturday December 18th 2021
Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de Edmund Ed Joseph Legere Saturday December 18th 2021..
Décès pour la Ville:, Province: Ontario