Leonard Henry Griffiths

He was Born in Minnedosa Manitoba on November 26, 1942 to Weldon and Margarette.  He was the Middle of 5 boys:  Gerald, Elmer, Leonard, Jim, and Harry.

When Leonard was 14, he went to work at a tourist lodge on Lake of the Woods, where he spent three summers doing odd jobs and refining his cribbage game. During one winter, he even tried his hand at commercial ice fishing with a group out of Kenora. Leonard came to Alberta in the early 1960s, taking on various odd jobs before completing his carpenter apprenticeship and receiving his journeyman certificate. It was during this time that he met Gloria, and they were married on November 27, 1965.

They lived in Edmonton, where Leonard worked for various construction companies. In 1969, they adopted their totally awesome son, Todd, and a few years later, in 1974, they adopted their daughter, Rhonda. In 1976, they bought some land south of Spruce Grove and started building their dream home. Some of the parties they had while building that house are still being talked about today. In 1978, Leonard and his partner Cecil started a construction company. Leonard continued to run the company for 28 years until he retired.

In his spare time, Leonard loved hunting and fishing. Some of his hunting adventures were epic, just ask his nephew Richard. Somehow, a one-day hunting trip could turn into an entire weekend. Leonard also loved getting away to go fishing. His favourite was Winefred Lake, a fly-in lake that they eventually found a way to drive into, although getting there was an adventure all on its own. He couldn’t wait to catch a walleye so they could head in for a shore lunch. If you knew Leonard, you knew he liked to eat. He enjoyed ice fishing too—as long as there was a warm shelter and a hot dog on the BBQ. Later, Leonard took up golfing and would head out to a par-three course every week, always trying to beat his last score.

Family was also an important part of Leonard’s life. Rhonda had three girls, Devin, Riley and Bailey. Devin gave him his first great-granddaughter, Peyton. Cheyenne also became one of Papa’s great-grandchildren when she joined the family, and years later Bailey had a son, Damian.

Papa was a troublemaker and a teaser. He loved getting a rise out of someone and having a good laugh. There were always laughs, stories and memories when Papa was around. He was missing a thumb, and according to the story he told his grandkids, Nana had bitten it off. That was the explanation they got, and it became one of those Papa stories that stuck. Papa also got excited about his cards, you could count on hearing an enthusiastic, “Oh, sweet baby doll!” when he had a good hand.

Leonard was a very proud Papa and treasured the time he had with his grandchildren and always loved getting pictures and hearing updates. Pictures were important to Leonard. Over the years, he collected album after album, filled with family, adventures and memories from the early years right through to the present.

On September 22, 2007, Leonard entered the AA program, where he eventually became a proud member. He made many good friends and memories through the program and came just short of receiving his 20-year medallion.

Leonard fought cancer for many years. It started with lung cancer, which resulted in having part of his lungs removed. Then came bladder cancer, which he beat. A few years later, he was diagnosed with cancer in his back and liver, and eventually his lung cancer returned. Through it all, Leonard remained Leonard – stubborn, mischievous, genuine, funny and always himself.

Leonard passed away peacefully in his sleep on September 21 at approximately 3:30 p.m., surrounded by his loved ones. Leonard was predeceased by his parents, Weldon and Margarette; his brothers Gerald, Elmer and Jim; and his daughter, Rhonda.

May he rest in peace. And, like he always said: “Don’t be sad for me. I lived a full life. Just remember the good times.”