Obituary of MWO (Ret’d) Leslie Wilson, MMM, CD
Leslie James Wilson, age 58, passed away peacefully on Friday, August 25, 2023, after a 3-year long battle with cancer. He was surrounded by his Wife and family in the Aberdeen Hospital.
He was born 29 July 1965 in North Bay ON to William George (deceased 2005) and Mabel Clarice Wilson (Leck).
Les grew up as a military “brat” and then joined the Canadian Armed Forces at the age of 24. In Early 1991 Les met Cathy (they had attended the same high school) and they married in 1993. Both military members themselves they were stationed to CFB Borden ON, CFB Edmonton Garrison, 4 Wing Cold Lake, Edmonton Garrison and back to Cold Lake. After a brief exit from the CAF, Les rejoined and was then stationed to Cold Lake, Ottawa and then Halifax where he was medically released in February 2023 as a Master Warrant Officer, with 29 years of service and a Member of Military Merit (MMM). Les was deployed to Bosnia twice, Camp Mirage, and Afghanistan serving the country he loved.
Les was a huge Toronto Maple Leaf’s Fan from youth, and his love for hockey carried on as he played minor hockey, both competitive and recreational and then in the military and in the civilian sector as well until the season ended early in 2020 due to Covid. There was always a need for a goalie and there were many weeks during hockey season he would be on the ice at least 5 days a week. Not only did he play himself, but he coached both his boys in Minor Hockey from Novice to Bantam. Hockey is a huge part of the Wilson Family legacy. Volunteering was also huge on Les’s things to do with being on Minor Hockey boards in Edmonton, Cold Lake, and Hockey Alberta. He took coach courses as often as he could to make sure he gave those players the coach they deserved.
Les was a strong, loving, funny, caring, husband, father, son, brother, nephew, cousin, friend, brother in arms and a service-before-self kind of man. His family was his world. Les liked to double down on dates and his death was no exception. He passed on the 18th Anniversary of his fathers’ death.
Les is survived by his loving wife Cathy (Locke) Wilson of Durham NS, his two sons Keegan Wilson of Edmonton AB, Justyn (Alicia Bouchard) Wilson of Bonnyville AB, his mother Mabel Clarice Wilson (Leck – born in Middle Musquodoboit NS) and partner Dennis of Calgary AB, sister Della (Rick) Clarke of Yarmouth NS, brothers Thomas (Ramona) Wilson of Chestermere AB, Robert (Jolayne) Wilson of Cold Lake AB, sisters Laura Lee (deceased 1967) and sister Sandra (Billy) Robinson of Hunts Pt NS and all their families.
He also leaves behind his father & mother-in-law Verdon (Beverly-nee Palmer) Locke of Durham NS, sister-in-law Tania Locke of Cold Lake AB, and brother-in-law Trevor (Candice Parker) Locke of MacLellans Brook NS and all their families. He will be deeply missed by all the uncles, aunts, nephews, nieces, and cousins left behind as well.
Les was cremated. He didn’t want a big fuss made. He just wants a beer call. The Celebration of Life (beer call) will be held in the summer of 2024. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Canadian Cancer Society, or Soldier On.