Passed away peacefully in his 87th year on 30 July 2022 in London, Ontario.
Leslie was born on 25 June 1935 in the town of Chichester, England to his mother Annie Hughes and his father Alfred “Tom” Holden. Leslie grew up as an only child and endured the second world war surviving the “Blitz” and tragically losing his father in July of 1942, who passed while serving overseas. Emigrating to Canada on the Queen Mary in 1946 with his mom and new step-father Wallace Garnham, Leslie spent his childhood years in Windsor, Ontario before joining the Royal Canadian Air Force in 1954. A dedicated and proud airman, Leslie served at a number of locations before settling at Uplands Air Station in Ottawa where the most joyous event of his life occurred as he met and married the love of his life, Marion Hamilton. Les and Marion were the most loving and kindest couple you could ever meet and were a positive and enduring influence on everyone they touched including their two sons David and Stephen. Les and Marion were together over 60 years and they ensured that their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren were appreciated and recognized for their talents, contributions and achievements. Sadly, Marion passed away in July of 2020 and Leslie bravely carried on without his partner in life. Many will remember Les as an understanding and forgiving man who could never stop talking about how proud he was of how his two sons had made their way in life. His six grandchildren were the world to him and we were blessed that he lived to enjoy the arrival of four great grandchildren.
His grandkids remember their grandpa for his witty sense of humour and constant smile. He was forever complaining about the rigors of driving on the 401 and would express his fear of driving a foreign built car…until he fell in love with his one and only Toyota Corolla. He would always connect to his grandkids by sending them cartoons or comic strips from the local newspaper that were perfectly suited to each of their individual personalities as they ventured down their distinct paths of life. He would always chuckle fondly in the background at family gatherings and he loved sneaking photos on his camera, mostly off-centered, in the most embarrassing of poses. Model trains were his passion and all the grandkids fondly remember the tiny trains winding through the elaborate array of tracks set up in his basement. Every weekend, for most of his life he stuck to the same routine…phoning Dave and Kim for a quick chat followed by a trip to Steve and Margaret’s on Saturday and Sunday for dinner. Dad was notorious for sneaking Marion’s drinks whenever they went out for dinner!
Leslie was the finest example of a father to David and his wife Kimberley, and Stephen and his wife Margaret. Beloved grandfather to David’s children Courtney, Christopher and his wife Viola, James and Brandon. Beloved grandfather to Stephen’s children Michael and his wife Emily, and Kaitlin-Anne. Great-grandfather to Evelyn, Aiden, Camillus and Harvey.
Les will be interred with Marion in October with a family ceremony taking place at Beechwood Cemetery in Ottawa.
Les set the bar high for love, humour and family. We will all miss his calls, his visits, his silly jokes and the kindness he showed to everyone around him.
Finally…we hope they serve fish and chips in heaven…..rest in peace dear father as you are now together with Mom…