After a short hospital stay and a week at the Hospice House in Vernon, BC, John Leesing passed away peacefully, June 26, 2020.
John was born in Port Arthur, Ontario in 1931 and attended elementary school in Port Arthur and Toronto. He graduated from Northern Vocational School in Toronto in 1948. After graduating from high school, John worked at Modern Tool Works and took night classes in industrial electronics at Ryerson Institute of Technology. In 1953, he headed west with his friend Herb on the new Trans-Canada Highway. He found a job as an electrician at IBM fixing early computer card readers among other things. He later studied forestry at UBC, graduating in 1960. He worked as a forester in various coastal BC communities and on Vancouver Island. At the time of his retirement in 1993 he was Chief Forester for Western Forest Products.
John and Valerie met at a UBC Varsity Outdoor Club hike in 1957. They were married in 1959 and have three children.
John and Valerie retired to Vernon, BC in 1995 to build their dream home. They have been active in the square dance club, Probus Club, playing bridge, walking and skiing. John also enjoyed woodworking and gardening. John enjoyed participating in community projects and was always helping out with something.
John was predeceased by his siblings Walter Leesing and Joan McDevitt.
John is survived by his wife Valerie; children Joanne (Mitch), Mary (Ron) and Andrew (Erika); and 5 grandchildren Shannon, Liam, Scott, Emily, and Audrey.
Due to COVID restrictions, the memorial service will be limited to immediate family.
Memorial donation may be made to the North Okanagan Hospice Society or the Canadian Cancer Society.
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of John Leesing June 26th 2020..
Death notice for the town of: Vernon, Province: Colombie britanique