Les, our father, grandfather, and great grandfather, passed away peacefully surrounded by family, on Friday, April 21, 2017 at the age of 93 years and 8 months.

Les was predeceased by his loving wife of 49 years, Kathleen (nee Farley), his parents Fred and Rose Slingsby, and his beloved brother Clifford. He is survived by his three daughters, Linda Grayston (Doug), Cynthia Garofalo (Lloyd Cardwell), and Charlene Slingsby (Chris Aubrey). Les was blessed with four grandchildren; Heather Dzwonek, Amanda Guerreiro (Bob), Donna Garofalo and Mark Slingsby Behrendt (Candice), as well as ten great grandchildren; Lucas, Autumn, Mason, Anthony, Noah and Zoe Garofalo, Erik Dzwonek, Alexander and Addison Guerreiro and Stella Behrendt, as well as many nieces, nephews and godchildren.

Les was born on August 11, 1923 in Winnipeg, MB, and lived his entire life in the community of Weston. Following his education at Cecil Rhodes School, Les began his apprenticeship as a boilermaker at CPR Weston Shops. His apprenticeship was interrupted by his service in WWII. Les was an original member of 435 Squadron “Chinthe” Transport and Rescue Squadron serving in the Burma Campaign as a Leading Air Craftsman (Airframe Mechanic). He completed his apprenticeship upon his return from overseas. Les worked for the City of Winnipeg Works and Operations Department at the City Shops on Tecumseh as a boilermaker/welder and retired as a proud CUPE member after 33 years of service.

Les served on the Cecil Rhodes Home and School Assoc., Boy Scouts, Weston Residence Assoc., Weston Revitalization Assoc. (Co-op Housing), and the Keewatin/Inkster Neighbourhood Resource Council (KINRC) where he helped to develop many of their core programs. As an advocate for community seniors he helped many continue to live independently and played a key role in establishing the Call-Me Program, the first of its kind in Manitoba. He served as a School Trustee in Wpg School Div. #1 for 15 years. His humility made him shy away from recognition, but the community marked his contributions by awarding him The Love of Caring Award from the Fred Douglas Foundation in 2012. That same year Les was presented with Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal which recognized his unparalleled lifetime of service. Les lived by example as a kind, modest and honorable man. “Do unto others as you would be done by. Do not say anything to injure a person.” This is how he lived his life.

Les and Kathy met in 1946, married in 1950 and raised their family: three daughters and a dog named Rex. Through the church they met their lifelong friends: June & Keith Cory and Jean & Jack Rocky. When Kathy needed him most, Les cared for her with love and commitment until her death in 1999. Friends Dee, Carol, Daphne, Mike and Rick were there to help. Les was a good neighbour and friend and our family’s friendship with the Webb family has spanned four generations.

As a lifelong learner, Les passed on his love of books, nature, photography, astronomy and geology to his children and grandchildren. He shared his vast knowledge and sense of humour with those around him. He enjoyed hunting, fishing with the Alexander boys, camping, and swimming with the MB Masters Swim Club. He was an adventurous person and in later years he water skied at age 60, white water rafted through Hell’s Gate at 65, climbed the Great Wall of China at 78, saw the great pyramids of Egypt at 80, parasailed in Mexico at 82 and travelled to the British Isles, Ireland, Cuba, Hawaii, Paris, Alaska and Haida Gwaii. He saw polar bears in Churchill and drove across Canada. Many summers were spent at his cabin at Black’s Point, where grandchildren and grand dogs were always welcome.

Les was grateful to the St. Thomas Anglican Church community and their ministry team, home support of Dee, Carol, Daphne, Mike and Rick, and Home Care aides that cared for him and the kind staff of the Riverview Health Centre.
Thank you to pall bearers: Brian Alexander, Lloyd Cardwell, Mark Slingsby Behrendt, Chris Aubrey, Lucas Garofalo, Erik Dzwonek and honorary pall bearers: Doug Grayston, Keith Cory, Jack Rocky and George Anseeuw.