Sydney
It is with heavy hearts, we share with relatives and friends the passing of Leo Gordon Evans, 83, of Sydney, on Tuesday, April 7, 2015, at the Northside Hospital, St. Petersburg, Florida.
Born in Sydney, Leo was the son of the late Lemuel and Blanch (MacLaine) Evans.
Leo lived life to the fullest. In 1947 he was employed as a trainman with Sydney & Louisbourg Railway, retiring after 40 years of service. Leo was a member of Holy Redeemer parish, Whitney Pier. He was past board member of Whitney Pier Credit Union and past board member and newsletter writer for the S&L Railway Historical Society. He was one of the founding members of the South Bar Volunteer Fire Department. In the past Leo was also involved with Whitney Pier Historical Society as member and news writer for the Pier Times. Last year, Leo donated a large collection of pictures and movies to the Beaton Institute.
For almost 60 years, Leo was proud member of the United Transportation Union. He always found time for dancing, hiking Coxheath Mountain, swimming at polar bear beach and travelling.
For the last four months Leo lived in St Petersburg, Florida. He made many new friends, played horseshoes and darts, swam every day, rode his bicycle, and danced up a storm. Leo got that good at horseshoes his friends were starting to question his visual impairment! A beautiful reception was held in his honor at the Sea Horse Mobile Home Park clubhouse.
Leo will be remembered by family and friends for being determined, opinionated and most of all, being a true gentleman.
Leo is survived by his son, John and his wife Janet; grandchildren, Alyssa, Taylor, Cameron; great-grandson, Ryder and his former wife and friend, Norma Evans. He is also survived by brothers, Robert and Paul; several nieces and nephews; special nieces, Madonna, Betty-Lou, Aileen and close friend, Fr. Reg MacNeil.
Besides his parents, Leo was predeceased by his partner Carol Nixon, sisters, Thelma, Aileen, Joan Catherine and brothers, Lemuel, Alfred, Bruce and James.
Visitation for the late Leo Gordon Evans will be held at the Pier Community Funeral Home, Whitney Pier, 1092 Victoria Rd. (entrance on Church Street) on Friday, April 24 from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Funeral mass will be celebrated on Saturday, April 25, 2015, at 10 a.m. in Holy Redeemer Church, with Fr. Paul Murphy officiating. Following the mass, reception will be held at the Pier Community Funeral Home. Interment will take place in old Calvary Cemetery, Whitney Pier, at a later date.
Donations in memory of Leo may be made to the CNIB or charity of one’s choice.
Funeral arrangements are entrusted to the care and direction of Pier Community Funeral Home.
Love you Dad 2-1-6
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I was so shocked to read this news about Leo…he and Carol lived across the street from us.. they were both always so full of life and energy.. and now both gone…I have always admired their adventurous spirit…and pray they are together soaring with the eagles…exploring the heavens…Rest In Peace my good neighbor….Thoughts and prayers are with his family… remember to hold on to the good memories…as you all travel the difficult days ahead. ~~Judy & John~~
Uncle Leo was larger than life, I have a lot of good memories of him. He will be missed.
From: Carrie Lee Anderson (Evans)
Please accept my sincere sympathy on your loss of Leo. He was a great guy and a wonderful dancer and a great friend. Treasure your memories.
Sincerely; Greta Nearing
From: Marilyn Dwyer
Deepest condolences on the loss of Leo. He was a true gentleman and lovely man. We always enjoyed our dances with him at the Army Navy & AIrforce. He'll be missed. RIP. The ladies from New Waterford
From: Bernadette(Dearing)Burke
John, Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Look forward to seeing you next time I'm home. I always enjoyed spending time with your dad when we were kids. He always had cool stuff to show us.
From: Paul Tatlock
It's very sad to read about the passing of my comrade , Leo, he was a spirited fighter on behalf of his Union members and his community . His contribution will be remembered . Rest in peace , my friend .
From: Victor Tomiczek
John,Janet and family. So very sorry to hear of the passing of your dad. To the very end he enjoyed life.
From: Marilyn Morrison-Quinn
To John and Family, My thoughts are with you at this difficult time. It was a pleasure to meet such a fine gentleman a few years ago. Obviously your father lived life to the fullest.
From: Ed White
John and family: So sorry to hear of Leo's death. Your dad embodied the best qualities of an engaged citizen and worker. Active in his union and his community, intensely curious about everything he came across, ready to question and support, full of love and empathy, and always ready to go to the wall for a good cause. He taught me a lot and I cherish those lessons. Unfortunately work commitments mean I will be out of town for the wake and service Please accept my deep condolences.
From: John Hugh Edwards
Please accept my sympathy on your loss of Leo. He was a great guy and a good friend of myself and my late husband Mel. He was quite the dancer and we had some great dances together. Treasure your memories. Take care and God Bless.
To the Evans Family: My condolences on Leo's passing. He was a fine person who always had time for a chat, especially about the Pier. He will be missed.
Leo was a great man. I knew him through his years of dedicated efforts fighting for justice for his union brothers. His tenacity was inspiring. My condolences to the family.
Sending love and special prayers to The Evans family as you lay this wonderful man to rest.Trips home will not be the same without that smile and greeting like you had never left.I have a feeling that his wonderful legacy of sharing our history from the pier and its families is being relived as he joins the countless people he has so lovingly recorded and remembered for all of us to share with our families and those who will follow.He was a True Pier Dear and always made us smile.He will be missed.In true Leo style I feel assured he is waltzing through heaven with all of the special Angels who have gone before him and won't that be a party.May The Good Lord Bless and Keep Him and all of you in his Hands.
John so sorry to hear of Leo's passing. Harry and I spent time with your mom and dad in the early years. He was a true gentleman and a great dancer. He always made you feel like a lady. I will miss our little chats when I would see him at the legion. The world is a better place because he was in it. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.
From: Mary Phillips
Rest in peace and thank you to a fine man who gave a lost, fatherless young boy hope that there were beautiful things and beautiful people in a scary world. You taught me to fish, you taught me about trains, you showed me the simplistic beauty of a seagull in flight. Even though it was only for a short while. I wish so much i had a chance to thank you before you passed.
From: Jamie Nearing MacKenzie