Leon was born on the family homestead three miles east of Carrot River, SK. It was a town that came to life after the railways came in 1931 and was sans the amenities of today. As a child, Leon lived in a log cabin and his life included farm chores for many years. Leon spent his early years at two schools in the Cosmo School District then he moved to Carrot River for grade eight. Skipping grade nine, Leon graduated from Carrot River High School in 1952. He attended the University of Saskatchewan where he obtained his Bachelor of Arts, Medical Doctor including a year of Internship at the Royal University Hospital. This was followed by two years at the University of Toronto's Sunnybrook Health Centre and two years at Queen's University in Kingston for his Fellowship Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons degree. Cash short, Leon joined the military in 1958.
In 1959, he married Ollie Shurma, a caring and loving wife, and together they journeyed through twenty-five addresses in Calgary, Toronto, Egypt, West Germany, Kingston, Halifax, Ottawa, Cold Lake, and Saskatoon. He served as Director of Medical Treatment Services, as a Colonel and Chief of Medicine in the military, and finally as an internist physician in Cold Lake post-retirement for over a decade. He moved to Saskatoon in 1991 where he resided until his passing.
Leon was predeceased by his parents Stanley and Christina, brothers John, Peter, Eugene, Ted, and Stanley, and a sister Rose in her childhood. He will be missed and lovingly remembered by his wife Ollie, sister-in-law Eileen, and numerous nieces and nephews.
At Leon's request there will be no funeral. Cremation has taken place and the interment will be in Carrot River at a later date.