LUEY, Leslie Roy 1922 - 2009
With his daughter by his side, Les passed away early Sunday morning November 8, 2009 at Ayre Manor Lodge, Sooke, British Columbia.
Predeceased by his wife Peggy (Margaret) nee Shaw in January of 2008 he is survived by his daughter Glenda (Ron) Bilinsky of Sooke, son Gordon Luey of Ladysmith, granddaughters Amanda Bilinsky, Amanda (Marc) Fillion, grandsons Michael Bilinsky, Matthew Luey and great-granddaughter Evangeline Fillion, all of whom he loved and was very proud of.
Les along with his twin brother Lyle, was born in Hamilton, Ontario, September 25, 1922, to Vera and Charles Luey. During the Second World War, Les enlisted with the Royal Hamilton Light Infantry in 1940 at the age of 17. He was captured at the Raid on Dieppe August 19, 1942, and spent the next 3 years as a prisoner of war. In 2002 Les was one of several servicemen chosen to represent Canada at the 60th anniversary of Dieppe in both France and Ottawa, it was one of his proudest moments.
In the early 1950s Les moved to British Columbia where service was an important part of Les’ life. He was a Volunteer Fireman for the Chemainus Volunteer Fire Department from 1961 to 1974, holding both positions of Deputy Chief and Chief. During this time he also volunteered as an ambulance driver in Chemainus. He volunteered as a Cub Master for Scouts Canada and was a hockey coach and rink offi cial at the Fuller Lake Ice Rink, hanging up his skates in his late 70s.
After retiring from the Chemainus Sawmill, Les spent many years with the Chemainus Legion Branch 191, running the Bingo Night and serving for a period of time as their Sergeant at Arms and become a Life Member in 1996. He enjoyed 5 pin bowling for over 50 years and participated in a number of B.C. Senior Games. Although he was born and raised in Ontario, he loved British Columbia, calling it “God’s Country”. Les was an avid fi sherman who loved fi shing with his wife for trout and steelhead here on the Island.
Les will be remembered for love of children, his sense of humour, his will to survive, his dedication to country and community, and his determination to have things done “on time and the right way “. We would like to acknowledge the wonderful staff of the Complex Care Unit at Ayre Manor Lodge in Sooke for your care and support during the past 14 months. A heartfelt thank you to a very special lady, Hazel Parman, for countless hours of cribbage with Dad in the lounge at Ayre Manor.
Those wishing to honour Les’ memory please do so by making a donation to the War Amps, The Salvation Army, the Red Cross or your local Canadian Legion.