Edward Leach

Memorial Service

Friday, April 3rd

11:00 a.m.

Wadena Community Legion Hall

Edward Albert Seabrook Leach passed away peacefully on March 29, 2015

in Wadena at Pleasant View Care Home with his family by his side.

Ed was born, the fifth of seven children, to Thomas and Lizzie Leach on

November 26, 1918, in Carleton Place, Ontario. When he was quite young, his

family moved to Saskatchewan. His formative years were spent in Regina. As a

youth he was active in all sports, as well as the church choir. Ed completed his

grade ten at Balfour Collegiate.

In 1935, he and a buddy rode the freight trains east to Ontario. While there,

Ed worked a variety of jobs for family and friends. Curiously, his application

to both the RCMP and the Air Force was denied because he was deemed to

have a weak heart. In 1941, he enlisted in the Army. They were looking to form

the 65th Tank Transporter Company and Ed volunteered. That is how he made

his way overseas. He served in England and Holland and was honourably discharged

in December of 1945. Ed retained strong ties with many members of

the 65th, and in the passing years reunions at points across Canada were a

highlight.

When Ed returned home from serving his country, he made his way to

Wadena where his brother, Arnold, had started a car dealership. It was there

that he met his future bride. On October 27, 1948, Ed married Anne Sokochoff.

This union was blessed with four children. They homesteaded in the Rosebud

District and then moved to Kylemore in 1957 to run the post office. Ed continued

to farm and was the Kylemore Pioneer Agent for many years. He was not

afraid of hard work or putting in long hours. When asked in his seventies and

eighties why he continued to go out to the farm to help Lyle and Garry, he

replied "Because I like to and they haven't asked me to stay home yet"

Despite the demands of his chosen occupation, he was very active in the communities

of Rosebud, Kuroki and Wadena. Depending on the season you might

have found him on the curling ice or the ball diamond. He loved playing cards

and socializing with friends. He was a Wadena Minor Hockey coach, an avid

Rosebud Royals fan, and could often be found taking tickets at a Wadena

Wildcat game. He spent many years on the Wadena and District Fire Board and

was a Life Member of the Royal Canadian Legion Wadena Branch #62. As a

Legion member he had held the office of President and Treasurer.

Ed took great pride in his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

He was always interested in their endeavours and was there to cheer them on

whenever possible. He was a man of integrity and his word was his bond. He

taught by example and he had a way of making others feel special.

Ed will be greatly missed by Daughter, Sharon (Howard) Johnson; Michelle

Johnson, Chad & Sammi; Travis (Camille) Johnson, Piper, Ty & Naomi;

Laura Johnson, Bryson Johnson (Navi Arcand); Son, Garry (Gloria) Leach;

Dean (Kim) Leach & Ryen; Jason (Ashley) Leach & Avery; Daughter, Reta

(Randy) Marchand; Alysa Marchand (Jeff MacDonald); Kaitlyn (Kevin) Clark;

Brandon Marchand; Son, Lyle (Maria) Leach; Derek Leach; Joey Leach

(Karlee Eldred); Brother, Murray (Dorothy) Leach; Sister-in-law, Mary

(George) Aschenbrener; as well as numerous nieces and nephews. He is loved and will be missed by all.