It is with broken hearts that we announce the passing of our father, Dan Leeman, at the age of 96 on April 9, in Ottawa Ontario. Dan was born in Englehart, Ontario on July 15, 1925 to the late Adelbert Leeman and Charlotte Beatrice Green. He was the 10th of 12 children and is the last surviving member of his immediate family. He was predeceased by his wife Margaret (Bracken) Leeman in 1996.
Dan was passionate about music and theatre. He had a natural gift with almost any musical instrument. Following high school Dan enrolled in a radio broadcasting course at Ryerson. His first job in radio was in Woodstock Ontario. After a decision to see more of Canada, he sent out job applications to radio stations around the Maritimes and received an offer from CKMR in Newcastle, NB. It was there, that he met his future wife, Margaret Bracken, who was at the time, the receptionist at CKMR. He loved the Miramichi and called it home for 45 years.
He took a break from radio in the late 1950’s to join the Black Watch – Scottish Regiment Royal Highland Brass and Reed Band. He returned to the Miramichi in 1961, resuming his career in radio until his retirement in 1991. Dan was a long-time member and director of the Chatham Fireman’s Band and a member of the Miramichi Choral Society. Most every Saturday evening, throughout the ‘60’s and ‘70’s, he was earning extra money playing with a variety of dance bands on the Miramichi.
Dan will be remembered for his deep, quiet faith. For many years, he was a member of the choir and organist for the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary church in Chatham Head.
When he moved to Ottawa in 1997, he remained active through writing and composing and loved keeping up to date on the lives of his grandchildren. He knew every bus route in Ottawa and how to get to every concert or theatre production. He had an incredible memory for music, theatre and events throughout his life. He lived independently until he turned 94.
Dan is survived by his three children: Kevin (Kimm) of Belleville, ON, Margot (Peter Jones) of Ottawa, ON and Dawn (Bill Kerr) of Bedford, NS.; his grandchildren Harrison and Kathleen Leeman; William (Cara), Michael (Emma Jane), and Ian Kerr.
The family would like to express their sincere appreciation to the staff at Billingswood Manor, where he lived for the past two years and to the compassionate staff on the 5th floor of the Elizabeth Bruyere Hospital in Ottawa.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at The Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church, on Wednesday, June 8, 2022, at 11 am, with Father Beaumaster officiating. Interment will take place in St Patrick’s Cemetery following the service.
Funeral arrangements are in the care of Northumberland Funeral Home, 102 Pleasant St, telephone (506) 622-7741
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Dan Leeman 2022..
Death notice for the town of: Miramichi, Province: Nouveau-Brunswick