We Remember

LEISHMAN, Gerald Russell

April 29, 1936 — June 8, 2026

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Gerald “Gerry” Leishman on June 8, 2026.

Gerry (AKA “Tex” and “Lightning”) was born at home in Gatchell, Ontario, now part of the Greater Sudbury area. Gerry was the oldest of three boys. Both his Dad, and eventually his youngest brother, worked for Inco, as so many in the area did.

Gerry was a cadet with the Copper Cliff Highlanders. At 16, he was chosen, along with top cadets from across Canada, to attend the Banff National Army Cadet Camp’s Leadership and Training Program. This program ran from 1948 to 1998. It was a formative experience for these cadets, chosen for their leadership, skills and potential to be future military officers. This honour enabled Gerry to travel by train from Sudbury to Banff. He was taken with the beauty of Western Canada, and spending the summer amidst the Rocky Mountains was a profoundly life-changing experience for a young fellow from Sudbury. Dad fondly remembered that summer for the rest of his life, and often regaled us with stories of his experiences. He became good friends with a cadet from a ranch in Alberta, and later visited him several times. No doubt this ranch experience contributed to Dad’s fascination with cowboy life, culture, and music, and helped earn him the nickname “Tex.”

Dad chose not to pursue a military career, and shortly after graduating from high school, he was hired by Bell Canada in Sudbury. He worked first in Installation and Repair, and later as a Cable Splicer, climbing many poles and working in many man holes over the course of his 40 years in telecommunications.

In 1961, Gerry married Patricia “Pat”, a local girl who grew up in Coniston, and they began life as newlyweds in Sudbury. For their honeymoon, they drove out west, experiencing the infamous Big Bend in Gerry’s 1960 Volkswagen Beetle. While in Alberta, they visited Gerry’s cadet friend, Hugh, at his ranch. Tragically, a couple of years later Hugh passed away, leaving a young wife. In the summer of 1962, Gerry and Pat had another epic adventure in the Bug, travelling through the Maritimes, camping and eating their fill of lobster. Three children later followed: Katherine “Kate”, Paul, and Gordon.

Gerry had worked for Bell Canada since he was 18, and he eventually decided he was ready for a change. His deep love for Western Canada had never let go, and in 1974, the family relocated from Sudbury to Kelowna, BC. We were one of 21 Bell Canada families from Northern Ontario that made the move out West. Dad enjoyed the work he did, and was proud to be a Cable Splicer for Okanagan Tel, and later, BC Tel. By nature, he was easy-going, very patient, methodical, and precise. Speedy he was not. This earned him the nickname “Lightning” with his work buddies.

Compared to the lunar landscape of Sudbury, Kelowna was a veritable paradise back in the ‘70s, with an abundance of orchards, market gardens and hayfields. Before long, “Tex” began to dream of some land of his own. In 1980, Pat and Gerry achieved a long-standing dream and moved the family to an acreage in Ellison. Several happy decades of building a rural paradise ensued, replete with beautiful flower and vegetable gardens. Dad loved nothing more than puttering around the acreage, wearing his straw hat and denim overalls.

In 2015, the acreage became too much, and Pat and Gerry spent several enjoyable years in their new home in Balmoral in the Mission. In 2021, with a growing need for assistance from family, Pat and Gerry moved out of Kelowna to be nearer to Kate and Bill and their family.

In January, Dad lost Mom, his soul mate, best friend and partner of 65+ years. They both shared a strong Christian faith, and are now together again in heaven. Sharing grief, but also wonderful memories and a legacy of love, are Kate (Bill), Paul (Tracey), and Gord (Birgit), and 5 grandchildren: Allison, Erin, Sophia, Emily, and Jesse.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Compassion Canada.

A Celebration of Life, with Pastor Al Mertes officiating, will be held on FRIDAY, JUNE 19, 2026, at 1:30 PM (PST), at SPRINGFIELD FUNERAL HOME, 2020 Springfield Road, Kelowna, BC. A reception will be held following the service.

If you wish to send a condolence, post photos, or share a memory, please scroll down the page to the area called “Condolences”.

Service
FRIDAY, JUNE 19, 2026, at 1:30 PM (PST)

Location
SPRINGFIELD FUNERAL HOME, 2020 Springfield Road, Kelowna, BC

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Compassion Canada Link: www.compassion.ca

 


Service Information

Service Details


The service for LEISHMAN, Gerald Russell is scheduled for FRIDAY, JUNE 19, 2026, at 1:30 PM (PST). Below you will find the map for the service location and the contact information should you have any questions.

Address & Contact for Service Location:

SPRINGFIELD FUNERAL HOME, 2020 Springfield Road, Kelowna, BC

Phone:

Special Requests:

None.

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Condolences

  • Sharron Stevens says:
    June 15, 2026 at 8:38 am

    I knew Pat and Gerry when they lived on Lynwood Dr. and attended St. Stephen’s on the Hill United Church. Many happy memories. Thoughts and prayers to the family. Sincerely, Sharron

    Reply
  • Tom and Connie Hiscock says:
    June 18, 2026 at 1:26 pm

    To Paul , Gord, and Kate, Thank you for including Connie and I in your message about you father’s death. Your parents showed us kindness in many ways as we tried to assimilate into life in Canada. Our second child was born in Sudbury. Our daughter spent the night with Pat and Gerry while our son was born. We knew our daughter was safe and well cared for that night. It was so special to find a family so welcoming and caring. We have told our children the story about the night our son was born. They were kind people we met at St.Stephen’s on the Hill United Church.

    Reply
  • Rudie Regier says:
    June 18, 2026 at 4:00 pm

    I’m sorry to hear about your loss. We always had fun as neighbors . May Gerry rest in peace now with your mother.

    Reply
  • Wally and Evelyn says:
    June 18, 2026 at 6:00 pm

    Dear Kate, Gord, Paul and Family
    Our thoughts, prayers and sincere condolence’s on the passing of your Dad.
    We have great memories of our visits with your Mom and Dad from passed years.
    Wally and Evelyn Spencer

    Reply
  • Harvey Hait says:
    June 19, 2026 at 6:11 am

    Dear Kate, Paul, and Gord. Our condolences to you and your families. I’ll always have fond memories of your Dad. While he may not have been ‘speedy’ at work, he was always quick with a smile, a handshake, a laugh, and his unique brand of encouragement.

    Reply
  • Val & Francis Wright says:
    June 28, 2026 at 4:15 pm

    We wish to extend our condolences to the Leishman family . Pat & Val were friends since school in Coniston and kept in touch to current times .
    We will miss them !

    Reply

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