Death Announcement
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LEEMING, Harry James Was born on May 18th, 1920 in North Bay, Ontario to Iris Anne and Harry Horsfal Leeming and was the eldest brother to Jack, Edward and Robert. He grew up in the High Park area of Toronto and attended Humberside Collegiate where he excelled in track and field and basketball and developed his abiding interest in history and literature. Harry served in the RCAF for five years as a First Lieutenant Pilot commanding Catalina float planes. With the responsibility for large crews at a young age, he served in both the Pacific and Atlantic theatres of war. Upon his return to civilian life he met and married Joan Ware and together they raised four children, (Harry) Daniel, Frances, James and Shelagh. Completing his BA and MA degrees while working a full time job and helping to raise the children, Harry was finally able to begin a teaching career that became his passion and a calling. Throughout his life he pursued many diverse interests, ranging from opera, classical music, French cooking and wine to a love of sports, archaeology, oil painting, the study of plate tectonics, geography, history and the origins of language. Harry was much loved and respected by all those who knew him. His wry sense of humour, kindness and gentle modesty will be greatly missed. After a long battle with cancer and Parkinson's, Harry passed away peacefully on Wednesday, January 20th, 2010 in Guelph, Ontario, with members of his family by his bedside. At Harry's request, there will be no visitation at the funeral home. A memorial service to celebrate his life will be held on Monday from the Gilbert MacIntyre and Son Funeral Home , 252 Dublin St. North, Guelph, Ontario at 2:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers please send donations to the Parkinson Society of Canada.