Our family is deeply saddened to announce the passing of our beloved father. On Tuesday morning, August 30th, in the presence of his loving family, Leo Basil, aged 89 years, passed away at the Health Sciences Centre after a rich and fulfilling life.
Predeceased by Margaret, his loving wife of 64 years; his parents, Leo and Josephine (nee Hart); brothers John, Alex and Richard; sisters Louise, Carmel and Thelma; mother-in-law Margaret (nee Chafe), father-in-law Jack Wickham, brother-in-law John Wickham and sister-in-law Mary Sulley.
Left to cherish his memory and celebrate his life are his children: Beverly Tucker (Kyle), Brenda Bursey (Bob), Margaret, Basil Brian, Barbara Chalker (Chris), Bernice Batten (Tony) and Robyn Knott (Tom); sixteen grandchildren Krista, Adele, Victoria, Scott, Christopher, Stephanie, Maggie, Ben, Nikki, Elizabeth, Ryan, James, Alexandria, Sam, Jacob and Angela; and six great grandchildren Edward, Emily, Hayden, Max, Madilyn and Sophie Grace; his brothers Desmond and Victor; brothers and sisters-in-law Leonard, Carol Ann, Eileen, Frances (David), Lorraine (Gordon), Louise (Spencer), and Kevin; family friend, Albert Pope; and also many beloved nieces, nephews and friends.
Basil was a dedicated and loving husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather who was visited frequently by his family and whose door was always open. He had a kind heart and helped countless people who were in need throughout his life.
Where his children were concerned, he would go to the end of the earth to help, teach and provide them the opportunity to learn the things he felt were important and practical in life and supported them. He was very proud of his family, taking them almost everywhere he went, from Sunday drives for ice cream and tree chopping excursions at Christmas to many summer vacations on and off the island, and even on his errand runs to the shoemaker or the garage – he was always happy to take them along.
He had a firm belief in higher education and felt one was never too old to learn. He was a consummate advocate for good old fashioned hard work. He showed this by example throughout his life, finishing high school early and entering Memorial at age 15 to pursue a Science Degree. He changed course to obtain a pharmacy diploma but returned to Memorial in 1961 to finish that degree, graduating in 1966.
Upon graduating, he worked with Memorial briefly until he accepted a position to teach Physics at the College of Trades and Technology, where he stayed until his retirement.
In 1977, Basil opened a successful family business, Excel Pharmacy in Churchill Square, along with his wife, Margaret and upon selling the business in 1990, continued to work in local and rural pharmacies until age 80, earning an Honourary Life Membership Award in 2012.
He was a tireless advocate for his many passions. He loved baseball, having played in his early years with the Wildcats and keeping a keen interest throughout his life, rarely missing a Blue Jays game. He was a photography and home film enthusiast. He was very passionate about the conservation and heritage of old St. John’s, where he grew up as a child.
Believing strongly in keeping fit, he was an avid runner, participating and supporting local events as well as marathons outside the province. His running days came to an end after suffering a stroke in his 70s, at which time he took up swimming, taking life saving courses, and became well known at the Mews Centre where he swam every morning until he was 86.
He loved Irish and traditional Newfoundland music and step dancing, taught ballroom dancing into his 80s and was a self taught guitarist before his arthritic days.
Always loving the outdoors, Basil spent time fishing and enjoying working at his cabin on Juniper Lake. He immensely enjoyed gardening and, as a result of his science background, was methodical in his cataloguing and recording of the progress of his plants.
He had a passion for antique cars, especially his many Volvos. He loved to work on them, completing regular maintenance himself. He particularly loved driving his Volvo P1800.
He had a keen interest in birds, feeding peanuts to the blue jays and crows and making his own homemade recipes for his feathered friends while following bird enthusiast Bruce MacTavish.
We will miss him more than words can say and will hold his memory very dear to our heart. We hope he is flying high like an eagle with his lifelong soulmate, our beloved mother, whom he missed so much.
We would like to thank the nursing staff of 5 South B for their kindness and care during Dad’s stay. In addition, thank you to the many physicians who took care of Dad during his illness, in particular Drs. Butler, O’Brien and Morkar. A special thank you to his family physician, Dr. Matthew Verge. We would also like to express our thanks to Dad’s very kind neighbours, the Morgan and Young families.
The family will receive visitors at Carnell’s Funeral Home, 329 Freshwater Road, on Tuesday, September 6 from 7 to 9 pm; Wednesday, September 7 from noon to 2 pm and from 7 to 9 pm. Funeral service will be held at the Carnell Memorial Chapel on Thursday, September 8 at 1 pm. Due to the ongoing Covid19 virus, the family requests that masks be worn at visitation and service. Inurnment will follow at Belvedere Cemetery, Newtown Road.
Flowers gratefully accepted or donations in Basil’s memory can be made to The Gathering
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Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Leo Basil Walsh January 4 1933 to August 30 2022..
Death notice for the town of: St-John’s, Province: T-N