Obituary for Graeme Orville Leonard
Passed away peacefully with his family by his side at the Ottawa Civic Hospital on Friday, October 28, 2022 in his 87th year.
Loving, caring husband and dearest best friend of his wife, Lois. Graeme was born July 23, 1936 in Marmora. Son of Orville Leonard and Gladys (Kerr) Leonard, and brother of Albert (Glenna) Leonard.
Graeme was baptized and confirmed at St. Paul’s Anglican Church, Marmora.
Graeme graduated from Madoc High School where he was awarded the Outstanding Student Medal and the Outstanding Athlete Medal. He graduated from Queen’s University, with a degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1962. At the same time, he also obtained his pilot’s license at the Kingston Flying Club.
Graeme and Lois were married on August 11, 1962 in Grace Lutheran Church, Eganville.
Upon graduation from Queen’s, Graeme joined multinational Massey Ferguson Ltd. (a Fortune 500 Company). Graeme continued his studies at the University of Toronto and at Northwestern University - Kellog School of Management in Chicago.
During his years in Toronto at Massey Ferguson, Graeme was an active member of the Junior Board of Trade and was an executive member of the Association of Professional Engineers of Ontario. He subsequently moved with the company to Des Moines, Iowa in 1981, and Atlanta, Georgia in 1992. During his 32 years with the company, Graeme rose from Junior Engineer to Head of North American Operations.
Graeme and Lois were blessed with two wonderful sons, Gregory (Lorraine) and Phillip (Elizabeth), and two adorable grandsons, Walker and Shepard. Gregory and Philip graduated from high school in Des Moines and continued their university educations culminating in various post graduate degrees.
Always a keen photographer during his early years, Graeme and Lois established Maples Studio©, Fine Art Photography, when they retired to 57 Knox Terrace, Eganville in 1994.
Graeme continued his close church ties by chairing the first Worship and Music Committee and the first Endowment Committee at Grace Lutheran, and was a member of the church choir. He chaired the 125th Anniversary Committee for Grace and created and managed the first website for the church. Graeme participated in many community activities of Eganville: he was Chairman of the Public Utilities and a member of the Board of Directors of the Valley Music Festival. He was an active member of the Eganville Horticultural Society.
In the early years, Graeme, Lois, Greg and Phillip travelled North America as a family. This included ski trips to the Rockies in Canada and USA. In their later years, Graeme and Lois continued their love of downhill skiing and international travel.
A family Celebration of Life will take place at the graveside on Thursday, November 3, 2022.
Loving, caring husband and dearest best friend of his wife, Lois. Graeme was born July 23, 1936 in Marmora. Son of Orville Leonard and Gladys (Kerr) Leonard, and brother of Albert (Glenna) Leonard.
Graeme was baptized and confirmed at St. Paul’s Anglican Church, Marmora.
Graeme graduated from Madoc High School where he was awarded the Outstanding Student Medal and the Outstanding Athlete Medal. He graduated from Queen’s University, with a degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1962. At the same time, he also obtained his pilot’s license at the Kingston Flying Club.
Graeme and Lois were married on August 11, 1962 in Grace Lutheran Church, Eganville.
Upon graduation from Queen’s, Graeme joined multinational Massey Ferguson Ltd. (a Fortune 500 Company). Graeme continued his studies at the University of Toronto and at Northwestern University - Kellog School of Management in Chicago.
During his years in Toronto at Massey Ferguson, Graeme was an active member of the Junior Board of Trade and was an executive member of the Association of Professional Engineers of Ontario. He subsequently moved with the company to Des Moines, Iowa in 1981, and Atlanta, Georgia in 1992. During his 32 years with the company, Graeme rose from Junior Engineer to Head of North American Operations.
Graeme and Lois were blessed with two wonderful sons, Gregory (Lorraine) and Phillip (Elizabeth), and two adorable grandsons, Walker and Shepard. Gregory and Philip graduated from high school in Des Moines and continued their university educations culminating in various post graduate degrees.
Always a keen photographer during his early years, Graeme and Lois established Maples Studio©, Fine Art Photography, when they retired to 57 Knox Terrace, Eganville in 1994.
Graeme continued his close church ties by chairing the first Worship and Music Committee and the first Endowment Committee at Grace Lutheran, and was a member of the church choir. He chaired the 125th Anniversary Committee for Grace and created and managed the first website for the church. Graeme participated in many community activities of Eganville: he was Chairman of the Public Utilities and a member of the Board of Directors of the Valley Music Festival. He was an active member of the Eganville Horticultural Society.
In the early years, Graeme, Lois, Greg and Phillip travelled North America as a family. This included ski trips to the Rockies in Canada and USA. In their later years, Graeme and Lois continued their love of downhill skiing and international travel.
A family Celebration of Life will take place at the graveside on Thursday, November 3, 2022.