LESLIE PARKIN

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LESLIE PARKIN October 7, 1922 - July 29, 2013 Son, Brother, Husband, Uncle, Father, Grandfather and Great-Grandfather His suffering ended, Leslie went peacefully to his well-earned rest on Monday, July 29, 2013 surrounded by his loving wife, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Born in Winnipeg, Manitoba on October 7, 1922, Les lived his entire life in Winnipeg. Predeceased by his parents Richard Parkin and Geraldine Parkin (Oliver), brother William, and sisters Iris and Everil. He is survived by his brother Stanley of Abbotsford, BC, his loving wife of 70 years, Edith Parkin (Buzza), sons David (Arlene) and Alan (Christine). Also survived by grandchildren Sandra, Richard, Greg, Brenda, Susan and Michael, great-grandchildren Bryan, Brett, Alex, Courtney, Kaley, Kristin, Jaime, Owen and Dylan, and many nieces and nephews here and in British Columbia. Dad was a survivor, having been born on the cold basement floor of their Union Avenue home after his mother fell down the steps and, several years later, at the age of seven in 1929, having been hit by a streetcar and losing his thumb and most of two fingers of his left hand and sustaining a serious head wound which required his hospitalization for seven months during which, for an extended period, he was on the so-called Red Star List.. Les volunteered for service with Canada's forces during the Second World War but, due to the injury to his left hand and his severe hearing loss he was turned down for service. We have often wondered if he had not been rejected due to these factors and had seen active combat, whether our family would be as it is today. Leslie attended Pinkham School and later took courses at the Manitoba Institute of Technology and International Correspondence Schools in the course of which he earned record high marks for his drafting assignment submissions. He ultimately went to work for the Winnipeg Electric Company which later became Winnipeg Transit where he worked in the shops and became legendary, despite his damaged hand, for the outstanding quality of his sheet metal work. He was the "Go-to-Guy" for creative ideas and top quality workmanship. He was also a top-notch draftsman and we still treasure some of the blueprints and sheet metal pattern layouts he made. Dad's creative mind and hands were not used exclusively at his place of work however. At home, in his superbly equipped workshop, he created uncounted artistic and practical works of metal and wood which fill the homes of his extended family to this day. They are a testament of his love for all of his family and include everything from useful items such as cedar chests, stereo cabinets, bookshelves, picture frames, tables, bed headboards and many others to decorative and fun things such as plant stands, metal butterflies, whirligigs, wooden bowls, kids' bathroom stools, artfully painted boomerangs and even building a pool table and ping pong table both of which saw many hours of use. The common denominator in all of these products was his great love for his family and his incredible generosity. Family was the focus of his and Mom's life and they led by example, not by word. He also virtually single-handedly (no pun intended) built a cottage at Gull Lake, Manitoba which incorporated some of his many inventive touches. Several years later he and Mom sold the cottage and spent many summer vacations and retirement years going on driving trips to various places in Canada and the U.S.A. We were never able to get Dad or Mom on an airplane however, an experience I know he would have enjoyed due to his fascination with machinery and technology of all types. In his 50s Dad embraced the hobby of photography. In his usual fashion, he jumped in with both feet, even building and equipping his own dark room to develop his own black and white photos. Dad had high values of work, family, honesty, charity and responsibility that both he and Mom shared and took pains to try to instill in their family He was a giver and not a taker and he lived this philosophy to the fullest. He enjoyed many years of retirement after he and Mom moved to their new home in Fort Garry over 25 years ago. He was loved and respected by all of his family and a family gathering was not complete without him and Mom, whether it was a Sunday dinner, a birthday, Christmas, wedding or any other special occasion. We will miss him on these occasions and every day for the rest of our own lives. Goodbye Dad, until we meet again. We wish to express our sincere and unbounded thanks to all the staff of Deer Lodge Centre who cared for Dad in his last days and who daily exhibited their professionalism, empathy and commitment in this task. No flowers please. However donations in his name to the Deer Lodge Foundation, 2109 Portage Avenue, Winnipeg, MB R3J 9Z9 would be most appreciated. Memorial service to be held on Friday, August 2 at 10:00 a.m. at Neil Bardal Funeral Centre, 3030 Notre Dame Ave. (across from Brookside Cemetery). Interment at Chapel Lawn, 4000 Portage Ave. NEIL BARDAL FUNERAL CENTRE 204-949-2200 neilbardalinc.com
Publish Date: Aug 1, 2013

LESLIE PARKIN 1922 - 2013 On Monday, July 29, 2013 Leslie Parkin passed away at Deer Lodge Centre. A memorial service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, August 2, 2013 at Neil Bardal Funeral Centre, 3030 Notre Dame Avenue (across from Brookside Cemetery). Longer obituary notice to follow. NEIL BARDAL FUNERAL CENTRE 204-949-2200 neilbardalinc.com
Publish Date: Jul 31, 2013

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Aug 01, 2013