The family of Leroy Persick of Yorkton, beloved husband of Sandy Persick sadly announce his passing on Saturday, February 5, 2022. He was 68 years of age.
A Celebration of Life is being planned for the summer.
Leroy grew up in a modest household as an only child. His parents raised him to value hard work and he spent his life instilling that value in others. He attended grade school at St Al’s, and was a proud Jopher, graduating in 1972. He earned his Bachelor of Education degree at the University of Saskatchewan and after brief stints in Swift Current and Kamsack, settled into his teaching career in the Yorkton Catholic school system. He was a leader in the classroom, on the court and in the rink, teaching and coaching generations of kids who continue to reach out to our family with their own stories about Mr. Persick. Becoming Vice Principal and then Principal at elementary schools in Yorkton, he finished his career after teaching high school students in Manor and Lemberg.
Leroy and Sandy had four children; Mark, Erin, Jill and Christy. He was especially proud of the year that there were three generations of Persick’s at St Al’s School; his dad, John, was the caretaker; Leroy was the Vice Principal; and Mark was in Kindergarten. He was very proud of his children and he spoke about his kids to anyone who would listen, proudly boasting of his daughters and son.
Leroy was a natural athlete, excelling on the ice as a Melville Millionaire, modeling his game after Gordie Howe. His children proudly modeled their lives after the examples he set, time and time again.
Once the summer months hit and the school year ended, the Persick family could be found at the cabin Leroy built himself from the ground up with the help of friends and family over many years, at what is now Burgis Beach. It was rare to find him sitting idle, and in recent years he was particularly fond of his work on the Hamlet Board, where he spent so much of his time working to ensure his kids, grandkids, and ongoing generations of cabin-goers continued to enjoy trees, walking paths, and parks at the lake he loved.
Following their retirement, Leroy and Sandy bought a small piece of paradise in Yuma, Arizona, where they continued to spend time with people who quickly became lifelong friends, many of whom continued to take care of both Leroy and Sandy throughout the last few months.
From friends he grew up with, to those at the cabin, to the students he taught and coached that have become friends and even colleagues, to the Yumans and the Jophers, and the dozens upon dozens of people whose lives he’s impacted, Leroy left an impression upon everyone whose path he crossed.
Leroy was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia in August 2021. Although he was fortunate to be in remission after his first treatment, our joy was short-lived, as subsequent treatments failed. He remained hopeful until the bitter end, in no small part due to the excellent care he received from the nurses, doctors and staff on unit 3B at the Pasqua Hospital in Regina. To all of you on 3B, you are incredible.
Leroy never wanted a funeral. He didn’t want any of us to be sad at the thought of his passing and hoped his friends, family, and any of those whose lives he’s influenced, might find the time to get together to share stories and happy memories. Leroy has been cremated and a celebration of his life will be held this summer.
Left to mourn Leroy’s passing are his Wife, Sandy; son, Mark (Louise-Ann, Lowan, Savea); daughter, Erin (Mark, Ethan, Brayden); daughter, Jill (Adam, Sienna, Hudson); and daughter, Christy (she’s Vegan and has a dog); and numerous others whose lives he has touched.
Education has always been important to Leroy and in his last few months, he became involved with a school project in a small village in Pakistan. In his memory the family is collecting donations to support this initiative via gofund.me/ff95a2aa . Those who wish to do so, may further honour Leroy’s memory by planting a tree.
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Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Leroy Paul Persick Saturday February 5th 2022..
Death notice for the town of: Melville, Province: Saskatchewan