Remembering Leonard James McDonald

MCDONALD, Leonard James “Len”
Passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, on Saturday, April 19th in Orillia, Ontario.

Len was born in 1936 in Callander, Ontario to Dorothy (nee Bush) and Jim McDonald. An only child, he grew up with a large extended family of cousins, aunts and uncles all of whom helped him develop a wicked sense of humour and love of family.

Len always enjoyed being around people, which perhaps explains his career path. In his younger years, he worked for CPR and later became involved in the gas station industry where he developed many significant and lifelong friendships. He loved running gas stations and meeting his customers, whether in London, Ottawa, North Bay or in his hometown of Callander. Len also served as Township Clerk for the Township of North Himsworth for many years and later became Reeve. He was very proud to serve his community and has always recalled fondly the friends he made and the memories he had.

Once Len retired, he was ‘employed’ as full-time chauffeur for his lovely bride, Loretta (nee King). Len and Loretta celebrated 50 years of marriage in February of this year. They met on a blind date at a nurse’s dance in North Bay and the sparks were palpable.

Married in 1964 Len and Loretta soon began parenting three brats, Patti (Mitch), Donna (Troy) and Jim (predeceased). Len loved nothing more than his family and he went to great lengths to have fun and share joy with his children. Moreover, he might have tormented them a little bit too.

Over the last many years, Len and Loretta lived in Orillia to be close to their beloved grandchildren, David and Emily. His grandchildren were a constant source of joy to him and they could do no wrong. He was incredibly proud of them for their many attributes and accomplishments and he had much influence on the development of their love of family and their ease of laughter.

Len was a wonderful uncle to his many nieces and nephews and to a certain extent somewhat of a bad influence…but those are stories that are best left unpublished. He insisted that instead of being called ‘Uncle Len’ that he be referred to as ‘Mr. Wonderful’. Len had the greatest respect and fondness of his brother’s-in-laws, Cecil King (Cathy) and Donald King (Elaine) and sister-in-law, ‘Little Lizzie’ Gauthier (Gary) and appreciated the many years of laughter, companionship, parties, friendship, and the sharing of nasty birthday cards.

We would be negligent not to mention that Len, despite his protestations, was a big animal lover. When he finally gave into Loretta’s demands for a dog ‘Maggie’ quickly became his closest canine companion…and we’re sure that it had nothing to do with the fact that he shared his meals with her.

Len’s life will be honoured with a ceremony at the Doolittle Chapel of Carson Funeral Homes, 54 Coldwater St. E. Orillia, (705) 326-3595  on Thursday April 24, 2014 at 1 p.m.  Reception to follow.

Donations, in lieu of flowers would be appreciated, to Orillia Soldiers Memorial Hospital “Pastoral Care”.

Online Messages of Condolence are welcome at www.CarsonFuneralHomes.com
A Memorial Tree will be planted by the Doolittle Chapel of Carson Funeral Homes