“Grumpy” passed away peacefully in the Ladysmith Hospital on February 16, 2006, just two days before his 77th birthday from kidney failure with his family by his side. Son of Cyrus B. Beardsley and Ellen Jane (nea Rivers) Beardsley, Born February 18, 1929 in Winnipeg Manitoba. Les is survived by his loving wife and best friend, Maureen, sons David (Donna) and Bruce, his daughter Jan, and by his grandchildren Carmen (Mike), Les, and Natasha. He is also survived by his sister Mrs. Margaret (Donald) Kalbom of Whitecourt, Alberta, and many nieces and nephews to whom he was more than “Uncle Dave”. He was predeceased by his brother, Dennis, and two sisters, May Devault and Patricia Revak. Les spent many years in the military, where he and Maureen traveled to different parts of
the world and Canada raising their three children. He was a founding member of the Tozan Cultural Society in Nanaimo and an active member in the arts community. When his health allowed he could be found at the kiln sharing his love and knowledge of ceramics. Les was also a member of St. Johns Lodge and other Masonic organizations where he found support and great friendships with all its members. Les loved to learn, and loved to teach. He shared so many stories of his life journeys and for that we are truly blessed. He also collected people from around the world, and made them part of his extended family. His greatest joy in the last few months was his cat, Tigger. A special thank you to Dr. Peter Bowen-Roberts for his many years of care. To Dr. Julian Lisinski and the wonderful staff at the Ladysmith Hospital for the caring support in his last days. Thank you to the Tozan members for all the support and kind words, and for having the courage to help us continue to carry on Les’s dream of the kiln. Thank you to the lodge members for the visits to his home and the hospital when he was unable to continue the meetings. A celebration of life will be March 4 at the Masonic Lodge (26 Gatacre Street, Ladysmith) 2 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Les Beardsley’s memory to Aplastic Anemia Myelodysplasia, 23 Hamills Crescent, Richmond Hill, Ontario, L4S 1C1
www.aamac.ca or the Kidney Foundation, British Columbia Branch, 320-1600 West 6th Avenue, Vancouver, BC V6J 1R3
Tel.: (604) 736-9775 / 1-800-567-8112 within B.C.
Fax: (604) 736-9703 info@kidney.bc.ca or www.kidney.bc.ca