Obituary
LEFLEY
Tom
Tom lived a very full and active life and at the time of his passing he was still making others laugh.
Tom was born in Drumheller to Jack and Gaye Lefley, the 5th child of 10. He was raised on the family farm east of Rowley until he was 9 at which time the family moved to Bankview in Drumheller. At the time of his passing he was once again living in Bankview.
From a very young age, even though he had some health problems, Tom loved playing sports primarily baseball and hockey. He played for many baseball and hockey teams in and around the area. He was one of the original members of the Hanna Hornets and was a part of the Morrin Flyers team that went to the Alberta Championships in the late 1950s. In his older years he loved curling and playing horseshoes. He was also an avid hunter and fisherman. He was a long-time member of the Royal Canadian Legion and never turned down a pool game or shuffleboard challenge. Tom loved to play crib and cards and anyone that knew him well knew you were in for a good game whether he was your partner or you were playing against him. He was a master. Throughout his life Tom had many adventures and was always quick to share his good times with his friends and family. There was always a good meal, good drinks and good stories at the Lefley home.
Tom began working for CN Rail in Drumheller in 1951 and left 38 years later. He enjoyed his career at CN and held several positions, retiring as Yard Master in Calgary in 1989. Tom made both lasting memories and friendships from working on the railway.
Tom and Eileen enjoyed many after retirement years on their acreage. They ran a market garden and “Tater Tom” as he was known, loved his customers and always was quick to give them a great deal. You even got a better deal if you were willing to help him dig potatoes! They both loved the freedom and carefree environment but in later years the place got to be too much for them physically and so they moved to town in 2015.
Tom is survived by his wife and best friend, Eileen whom he always credited for his long and happy life. They were definitely a Love Match. He is also survived by his daughter Tanis Martin of Airdrie and son Jack (Ann) of Toronto, and his 4 grandchildren – Misty, Jackie Jean, David and Logan and 4 great-grandchildren – Carter, Hadley, Harper and Emeri, and many cousins, nieces and nephews. He is also survived by four of his sisters, Ruth Taylor (Ottawa), Donna LaBlanc (Manitoba), Judy Patterson (Calgary), Bonnie Stainthorpe (Vancouver) and his brother Robert (Calgary). He was predeceased by his sons David (1975) and Robert (2021) and the mother of his children Jean (Mackie). He was also predeceased by his brother Arthur and sisters Beryl Riva, Viola Campbell and Doris Poland.
Eileen would like to thank the many family, friends and neighbours that have been so generous with their time and assistance. She would also like to thank Tom’s Nephrologist Dr. G. Vitale and his staff for always being available to explain and treat Tom in such a caring and compassionate manner over the last 14 years. The ladies from the Dialysis Unit at the Drumheller Health Centre are exceptional. Tom was always treated with dignity and caring and for that we are truly grateful. Over the course of his 6 year treatment he really got to know each of the staff members very well and he thought you were all great.
Donations in Tom’s name can be made to the Drumheller Area Health Foundation (Dialysis Unit). Graveside services will be held in the summer of 2022.
Tom Lefley’s Celebration Service Mountain View Memorial Gardens, Calgary, Alberta on July 21, 2022 Interment at 11:15 AM with a lunch to follow at 12:30
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Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Thomas Tom TAC Algernon Charles Lefley March 30 1932 April 5 2022 (age 90)..
Death notice for the town of: Drumheller, Province: Alberta