I am preparing for my journey home. What a life experience I have had! 82 + years and counting. I was born on Dec. 19, 1936 at 512 Portage Ave; my grandmother was a midwife. Our early years were spent at our lake home. My sister Marion and I attended School Car No. 4 for 5 school days then had 4 weeks off. Mom made sure we had our homework completed before we were allowed out to play! What a way to get an elementary education! In May, 1959 I started a 37 year career in woodlands with the O – M pulp and paper co. Through various supervisory levels ending with the title Manager, Purchased Wood, A position beyond expectation! I was fortunate to be assigned to monitor new logging equipment development, This allowed me to visit logging operations from coast to coast. A highlight of this period were 3 fishing trips to northern B. C. Salmon fishing.
On April 27, 1968 I married Betty; she has proven to be the ultimate wife. She lives the vows she took at marriage. Together we have had a full and satisfying life.
Many major uplifting experiences. We travelled; a cruise, 2 resorts in east Mexico, 3 islands, and all 4 coasts of N. A. Highlights ; fireworks from Citadel hill,St Joseph’s Oratory, beluga whales at Churchill, general Sherman and the Giant Redwoods of Northern California. We made many trips to casinos, lost some, won less! We were fortunate to have two children daughter Patricia (Andrew) and son Neil (Christine).
After complications with my health, I was forced to be on oxygen 24 / 7 in Sept. 2015. No longer able to maintain the lake property, we sold it in Aug. 2016. This ended 74 years occupation of property on the North Arm of Rainy Lake by the McLeod’s!
I particularly cherished the relationship of our grandchildren Murray, Bennett, and Charlie, each with their own unique qualities as well as our four, adopted grand daughters Ruth, Robin, Erin and Alison, and special nephews Jol and Jake Smith. All of whom are positively contributing to society.
Our adopted extended family members Ian and Jean Montgomery, and Stuart and Theresa McIvor.
Betty and I had 51 plus years of a truly loving relationship. We supported one another as our careers advanced. We worked side by side during our retirement. We shared Crown Royals at 5 o’clock for 50 years.
Ed is predeceased by his parents Ed and Agnes McLeod; his brothers Ernie Bird, Bernard Bird; and sister Marion Bergland.
Ed is survived by his wife Betty McLeod; daughter Patrica (Andrew) Shepherd; son Neil (Christine) McLeod and his brother Richard (Rosie) Bird.
A memorial service will be held on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2019 at 11:30 a.m. at St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church in Fort Frances, ON.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Covenant House or Rainy Lake Conservancy care of Green Funeral Home, 600 Reid Avenue, Box 427, Fort Frances, ON, P9A 3M8.
Online condolences may be made in care of www.greenfuneralhomefortfrances.com.
CHARLES EDWARD “ED” McLEOD
