Obituary of Evadne "Bud" Leech
Evadne William (Bud) Leech
It is with great sadness that we announce the death of Bud Leech, beloved husband, father, partner, grandfather, great grandfather, brother, businessman, sportsman and artisan. Bud died peacefully at the Assiniboine Centre on November 14, 2023.
Bud was born in Brandon on August 13, 1929 to Cecil and Gladys (Wilson) Leech. He was raised in various places across Canada, while his father flew as a commercial pilot for TransCanada Airlines and later operated a printing business in Brandon and Winnipeg.
As a youth, Bud was an Air Cadet and spent time flying with his father at the Brandon Flying Club. He was also a gymnast and Leader Corp member at the Brandon YMCA.
Bud worked at the Brandon and Clear Lake Roller Rinks and was a lifeguard at Clear Lake. While working at Clear Lake Bud met his future wife Eva Patricia (Pat) Kitching. Their mutual love of roller skating brought them together and they skated as a pair in many exhibitions with the Winnipeg Roller Skating Club.
After finishing high school, Bud worked as a teacher in Dauphin Plains and at the Royal Bank in Winnipeg. Bud and Pat were married in Winnipeg on August 4, 1952. They moved to The Pas, where Bud worked as the Assistant Manager at the local branch of the Royal Bank.
Bud returned to Brandon with Pat and their two children in 1958 to work at Leech Printing. He worked with his father and brother, Don, and later as a partner with Don to build a successful business, which continues to flourish in Don’s family.
Bud and Pat raised their children in Brandon. Bud built a cabin at Brandosa Beach in 1961, where the family spent many memorable years and Bud and Pat had great times with their many friends.
Bud was an avid water and snow skier. The family spent many enjoyable days snow skiing at the Glenorky ski hill and water skiing on Lake Minnedosa. Over the years, Bud taught many people, young and old, to ski.
After Bud retired, he and Pat returned Clear Lake where they eventually built their dream cottage. Summers were spent entertaining family and friends at the Lake, where Bud water skied, wind surfed and golfed with the Men’s Club at the Clear Lake Golf Course. Winters were spent with family and friends skiing in the mountains and in warmer climes, particularly Hawaii. Bud and Pat wintered at the Palm Garden Estates mobile home park in Harlingen, Texas, where they were active members of the community and where they made many new friends.
Bud also took up wood carving in his retirement becoming an accomplished carver. He created many beautiful pieces, including award winning waterfowl decoys, song birds and other larger animal and human figures.
Bud was a member of the Brandon Lions Club. He was also a long time member and supporter of the Brandon YMCA, serving as President of the Board and becoming an honourary lifetime member. He continued to work out regularly at the “Y” well into his 80’s.
Bud was predeceased by Pat, who passed in 2012, and by his father, mother and brother Don. He will be sadly missed by his partner Anna Pepper and by his family, son Rick (Bobby) Leech of Edmonton and their children Erin and Jeff, and daughter Terry (Keith) Atkinson of Brandon and their children Mlee and Blair.
The family gives their special thanks to the staff of the Assiniboine Centre who gave such good care to Bud in his final days.
Family and friends will be invited to an open house celebrating Bud’s life in the summer.
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