April 8, 2019
This is our dad, Leon Alfred Gingras. He died on April 8, 2019, just the day after his 74th birthday. He gave us one more big party!

What a life he lived. He was born in Estevan, Saskatchewan, the fourth child of August and Lucille. Of his three older siblings - Don, Lawrence, and Denise - he is survived only by Denise. He yearned for adventure that the prairies couldn't offer, so, as a young man, he travelled to England, France, Spain, and Morocco. Following that, he found his way to Kelowna and his life was forever changed when he met and eventually married Shirley in 1968.

He was a talented mason, an artist with natural materials, and he loved to grow his own food. He knew how to have fun and we have beautiful memories of him playing goalie on his son's hockey rink, appreciating one of Michele's abundant family feasts, dealing out a hand of crib with Joyce, listening to all the best music, and being as carefree as the rules would permit, and at times beyond. Leon had many cherished friends, including Lynn who took such good care of him and for that we are grateful. He loved all animals, enjoyed riding horses with his daughters, and was especially attached to his dog, Sasha.

In our dad's memory, we encourage you to love each other, grow your own food or support a local farmer, and recycle everything you can. We are all going to miss him so much, but we feel him in our hearts and hear him in our children's laughter. We are honoured to be his kids. He has taught us so much about a life well-lived and what it means to love unconditionally.

Dad will be interred in the Oyama Cemetery, beside his mom, overlooking the beautiful valley just as he did so many times while working on the farm.

With all our hearts, Jacqui, Suzanne, and Robere