DGC Ontario mourns the passing of Ross Leslie, who was a Member for over two decades. 

The family will receive friends at the Humphrey Funeral Home A.W. Miles – Newbigging Chapel, 1403 Bayview Avenue (south of Davisville Avenue) from 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 22nd. A funeral service will be held in St. Simeon's Anglican Church, 445 Rue Principal, Lachute, Quebec at 11 a.m. on Thursday, March 29th.

We would like to send out our warmest condolences to his family.

Obituary of Ross Leslie: humphreymiles.com/tribute/details/5260/Ross-Leslie/obituary.html 

Please read some words (and see some photos) from James B. Nicholson at the Ross Leslie memorial held in Quebec:

Hello Newfoundland Production Friends, (and others),

 As some of you are aware, I had known Ross Leslie and his family since about 1970 as both our families had cottages in the small community of Dunany north of Montréal.

On August 5^th there was a Celebration of Life for Ross held at the Dunany Golf Club and over 250 people attended to toast the man who was a well-loved member of the Dunany community.

It may also come as no great surprise that Ross had left specific instructions in his will and a generous allotment for such a festive event in the case of an untimely passing. This included an endless parade of martinis, an open bar, good food and a fabulous big band with an 11 piece horn section. I was lucky enough to be in Dunany that weekend and I can assure you first hand the celebration was fantastic, and Newfoundland was very much present in spirit. From speakers and toasts that spoke of visiting Ross in St. John’s, to a group of men that stood and sung an old traditional shanti, “General Taylor/Carry him to his burying ground”, more recently covered by Great Big Sea.

One of the speakers toasting to Ross asked, “How many people here visited Ross in Newfoundland?” At least a third of the crowd put their hands up.

I also decided to say something to the group on behalf of Ross’s Newfoundland production family and took the microphone to tell them how much he was loved, respected and appreciated by the people he worked with in St. John’s. I also told them the story of how Ross saved the life of Gaston Letourneau’s Grandfather in Newfoundland, many of whom had not heard that story.

 You are probably wondering why I sent pictures of a quilt?

On August the 4^th , the night before Ross’s celebration, the traditional “Ladies Cocktail Party” was held at the Dunany Golf course. The main event on this night was the 42^nd yearly raffle for a quilt made by members of this community. This year the quilt was dedicated to Ross, who in the past had actually broke out needle and thread, and contributed squares to previous quilts.

As hard as this is to believe, when the winning ticket was drawn this night from the over 1000 tickets sold, the winning ticket was held by non-other than Ross’s Daughter Lauren Leslie who had only purchased three.

And as if that wasn’t enough, as we were all standing around taking pictures of Lauren, Cathy and the quilt, it was noticed that a single sunspot the size of a large coin was coming through the window and back-lighting one of the quilt squares that had a heart embroidered onto to a door. 

You can’t make this stuff up. There was hardly a dry eye in the house.

 All the best to you all, and I’ll see you soon in Newfoundland or elsewhere.