Neil Keith Leatherdale of Olds, Alta., passed away Saturday, Nov. 8, 1997 at the age of 79 years at Foothills Hospital Calgary, Alta. as a result of complications brought about by pneumonia.
Neil was born Feb. 28, 1918 in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Neil together with his two brothers, Dick and Lyall, and sister, Betty, grew up in Fort Frances, Ont. Following his discharge from the Royal Canadian Air Force in 1943, Neil moved to Olds, Alberta where he entered the newspaper field, publishing the Olds Gazette, a career that spanned 53 years.
Neil was predeceased by his parents, Ambrose and Eliza Leatherdale; brothers, Dick and Lyall; one son, William Neil.
Mourning his passing is his wife of 55 years, Norma; children: Brian (Edna); Marlynn, Mary Jane Harper, Leslie (Monica) all of Olds; grandchildren, Tammy Graham, Scott (Sandi) Leatherdale; Tanya (Murray) Schaber, Todd Leatherdale; Shawna Leatherdale; Brad Harper; Stacey (Danny) Carefoot; Chad Harper; Daniel Leatherdale; Lisa Leatherdale; great-grandchildren, Christopher Graham; Reanne & Emma Schaber; MacAulay Carefoot; Zachary Leatherdale. Neil is also survived by his sister Betty (George) Beaushene of Sault Ste. Marie, Ont.; sisters-in-law Marjorie and Lydia Leatherdale of Fort Frances, Ont.; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Neil’s commitment to the community in which he lived was extensive, having served as Olds Town councillor, school trustee, hospital board trustee, member of Olds College Board of Governors and Red Deer College Board of Governors, and appointments to many boards and committees locally and provincially. He was past Worshipful Master of the Mountain View Masonic Lodge A.F. & A.M.; life member of B.P.O.E. Olds Elks Lodge #100 and life member of Royal Canadian Legion.
Memorial Services will be held Friday, Nov. 14, 1997 at 2 p.m. from the Royal Canadian Legion, Olds Branch. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial tributes be sent directly to S.T.A.R.S. 1441 Aviation Park NE Calgary, AB T2L 8M7 or the Alberta Heart and Stroke Foundation, 101 5208 53 Ave. Red Deer, AB. T4N 5K2.
Mountain View Funeral Chapels, Olds, entrusted with arrangements 403-556-3223.