LEESON — Peacefully at his home in London on Thursday, December 7th, 2006, Gerald Frederick Fred” Leeson in his 64th year. Beloved husband and best friend of Pat (Martin) Leeson for over 38 years. Dear father of Beth Leeson-Hagen and her husband Jason Hagen”
Dear Pat and family,
I was very sorry to learn of Fred’s passing.I just talked to someone who had seen you and they told me he was very ill.These losses are so difficult when they are our age, and when we love them so much, and so close to Christmas.
My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Mary Vernon
Les and Carol Kinoshita
December 9, 2006 at 12:34 pm
We know what a struggle the past months have been for Fred, but you fought the fight as a family,and you’ll find strength in each other now. Fred’s gentle humour and beautiful smile will be missed.
May God be with you all.
love Les and Carol
Gail and Rick James
December 9, 2006 at 6:43 pm
Pat and family, we were sadden to hear that Fred has passed away. I know from Eve and Gary that he put up a valiant fight with his cancer.
Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Warm regards
Gail and Rick
Todd Ward
December 10, 2006 at 9:22 am
Mr. Leeson will always be remembered by many of us that roamed the wrestling mats of London and area over the years. Mr. Leeson was always there to provide a pat on the back or some words of encouragement for those he knew and for those he would grow to know. It was great to see a familiar face in a hostile environment! I will remember his soft spoken words and friendly smile always. Thanks Mr. Leeson!
Bob & Janet Faulds
December 10, 2006 at 9:53 am
Dear Pat,
Please accept our sincere sympathies at this very difficult time. You and your family have shown incredible strength in your loving care of Fred in his final days.
Bob, Jan and family
Liz Powell
December 10, 2006 at 1:20 pm
Dear Pat, Jerry and Beth,
I was so sorry to read of Fred’s death in the paper today. Please know that my thoughts are with you at such a sad time. I know his brillant smile will continue to shine as he watches over you.
My sincere sympathy,
Liz Powell
bob hoffman
December 10, 2006 at 2:59 pm
I useto live in Manor Park and went to that school with
Eve. I am sorry to here of your lose. Please acept my condolences.
Jo-Anne Jolliffe
December 10, 2006 at 4:48 pm
Dear Pat,
I was sorry to read of the death of Fred. Please accept my deepest sympathies.
Jo-Anne Jolliffe
Allen and Faye Moore
December 10, 2006 at 11:59 pm
Dear Pat,
Our deepest sympathy to you, Jerry, Beth and Jason as well as Fred’s siblings. You were so wonderfully caring and supportive to Fred during these last months. Please know you are in our thoughts and prayers.
Allen & Faye
Rob & Fran Cook
December 11, 2006 at 6:30 am
Dear Pat, Beth, Jason & Jerry —
Sorry to read of the death of your husband and father, Fred.
We appreciated working with him at Oxford Park School when our son was a student there. We are keeping you in our thoughts and prayers at this time.
With Sympathy,
Sincerely,
Fran & Rob Cook
Carole (Murray) Halse
December 11, 2006 at 12:53 pm
Dear Evelyn,Shirley,Bilton & Mary Ellen:
So sorry to read of Fred’s passing in the Free Press. Please pass our condolences on to Fred’s wife & children & know that our thoughts are with all of you at this very sad time.
Dear Pat and Jerry,
We were so sorry to read about Fred’s passing. Please accept our sincere sympathy.
Ralph Sneyd
December 12, 2006 at 2:12 pm
The world of Amature Wrestling in Ontario has lost one of its great Champions. Fred Leeson was a rather unassuming man with a great heart and tremendous dedication to young people. He was not a coach or organizer that was in it to capture past glories and gain recognition. Rather he was there to allow kids an opportunity to experience a rigerous sport that would teach self discipline and allow the young individual to grow within the context of a team, with all of its obligations. Fred was committed to his teams. He worked in local and Ontario development committees to secure the very best conditions for young wrestlers to realize their success. He made sure that no young person would be excluded from the sport as he raised funds and kept costs down. He forced rule changes that eliminated the punishment of international wrestling for young wrestlers. He helped to open the sport to both young boys and girls. He revolutionized tournaments to make them a reasonable days activity. In the memories of all who met Fred and had the advantage of his enthusiasm and kindness, he will always be remembered.
I am so sorry that I was unable to attend the funeral. I heard of it too late. I want the family to know that Fred was one of the finest men I have ever met. We enjoyed many years together as coaching competitors and close friends. He was one of the few people to have a calming efect on my out of control personality. I will most truely miss my friend Fred.
Tom Marshall
December 13, 2006 at 1:56 pm
Pat, Beth, Jerry
I am sorry to hear about the untimely passing of Fred. My sister just sent me the information today and to say that I was shocked is an understatement. I did not know that Fred had been ill. The last time that he and I chatted was after Mom’s passing. I had dropped in next door, as I sometimes did when I was back in town, to thank you and Fred for making Mom’s life easier. You and he were enjoying retirement together. Fred was one of my closest friends during our childhood. We shared many adventures together. I fondly remember the sharing of our families with each other. I particularly remember the physically-challenging summer when I worked for Mr. Leeson during my university days. Although my career in education took me to the other end of the province, I was aware of the accomplishments of Fred’s career. When my family visited Mom, Jerry and Cody would always get together and into whatever mischief they could find. Fred will be missed by all who came in contact with him. I am pleased to see the accolades that he has so richly earned from those he touched. Our family will be thinking of yours and we send our most sincere sympathies at this most trying of times.
The Marshalls -Tom, Sandi, Carrie, Shauna, Cody.
Don Kelly
December 14, 2006 at 9:26 am
I was saddened to hear of Fred
Andy Dyment
December 15, 2006 at 8:02 pm
I was so sorry to hear of Fred’s passing especially at this time of year. I spent some wonderful ground breaking years in youth wrestling with Fred.
His special smile and soft spoken manner will not soon be forgotten. He touched so many amazing wrestlers from the London area …many of them still involved and giving back to the sport. I am so glad and proud to have been associated with such a dedicated and wonderful human being. My thoughts go out to the family.
Christa RIng
December 26, 2006 at 3:35 pm
Beth and Family,
I am very sad to hear of your loss. I send my condolences. My prayers are with you and your family. He was a great man.
When you order funeral flowers from Burke Flowers, our skilled and compassionate florist will work directly with the funeral home to ensure that your delivery is timely and accurate. Same-day delivery is often available, please call (519) 672-8190 || (800) 303-7413 for a more customized experience.
Dear Pat and family,
I was very sorry to learn of Fred’s passing.I just talked to someone who had seen you and they told me he was very ill.These losses are so difficult when they are our age, and when we love them so much, and so close to Christmas.
My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Mary Vernon
We know what a struggle the past months have been for Fred, but you fought the fight as a family,and you’ll find strength in each other now. Fred’s gentle humour and beautiful smile will be missed.
May God be with you all.
love Les and Carol
Pat and family, we were sadden to hear that Fred has passed away. I know from Eve and Gary that he put up a valiant fight with his cancer.
Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Warm regards
Gail and Rick
Mr. Leeson will always be remembered by many of us that roamed the wrestling mats of London and area over the years. Mr. Leeson was always there to provide a pat on the back or some words of encouragement for those he knew and for those he would grow to know. It was great to see a familiar face in a hostile environment! I will remember his soft spoken words and friendly smile always. Thanks Mr. Leeson!
Dear Pat,
Please accept our sincere sympathies at this very difficult time. You and your family have shown incredible strength in your loving care of Fred in his final days.
Bob, Jan and family
Dear Pat, Jerry and Beth,
I was so sorry to read of Fred’s death in the paper today. Please know that my thoughts are with you at such a sad time. I know his brillant smile will continue to shine as he watches over you.
My sincere sympathy,
Liz Powell
I useto live in Manor Park and went to that school with
Eve. I am sorry to here of your lose. Please acept my condolences.
Dear Pat,
I was sorry to read of the death of Fred. Please accept my deepest sympathies.
Jo-Anne Jolliffe
Dear Pat,
Our deepest sympathy to you, Jerry, Beth and Jason as well as Fred’s siblings. You were so wonderfully caring and supportive to Fred during these last months. Please know you are in our thoughts and prayers.
Allen & Faye
Dear Pat, Beth, Jason & Jerry —
Sorry to read of the death of your husband and father, Fred.
We appreciated working with him at Oxford Park School when our son was a student there. We are keeping you in our thoughts and prayers at this time.
With Sympathy,
Sincerely,
Fran & Rob Cook
Dear Evelyn,Shirley,Bilton & Mary Ellen:
So sorry to read of Fred’s passing in the Free Press. Please pass our condolences on to Fred’s wife & children & know that our thoughts are with all of you at this very sad time.
Sincerely, Georgina Murray, Pat (Murray) Langley, Carole (Murray) Halse, Doris ( Murray) Ball
Dear Pat and Jerry,
We were so sorry to read about Fred’s passing. Please accept our sincere sympathy.
The world of Amature Wrestling in Ontario has lost one of its great Champions. Fred Leeson was a rather unassuming man with a great heart and tremendous dedication to young people. He was not a coach or organizer that was in it to capture past glories and gain recognition. Rather he was there to allow kids an opportunity to experience a rigerous sport that would teach self discipline and allow the young individual to grow within the context of a team, with all of its obligations. Fred was committed to his teams. He worked in local and Ontario development committees to secure the very best conditions for young wrestlers to realize their success. He made sure that no young person would be excluded from the sport as he raised funds and kept costs down. He forced rule changes that eliminated the punishment of international wrestling for young wrestlers. He helped to open the sport to both young boys and girls. He revolutionized tournaments to make them a reasonable days activity. In the memories of all who met Fred and had the advantage of his enthusiasm and kindness, he will always be remembered.
I am so sorry that I was unable to attend the funeral. I heard of it too late. I want the family to know that Fred was one of the finest men I have ever met. We enjoyed many years together as coaching competitors and close friends. He was one of the few people to have a calming efect on my out of control personality. I will most truely miss my friend Fred.
Pat, Beth, Jerry
I am sorry to hear about the untimely passing of Fred. My sister just sent me the information today and to say that I was shocked is an understatement. I did not know that Fred had been ill. The last time that he and I chatted was after Mom’s passing. I had dropped in next door, as I sometimes did when I was back in town, to thank you and Fred for making Mom’s life easier. You and he were enjoying retirement together. Fred was one of my closest friends during our childhood. We shared many adventures together. I fondly remember the sharing of our families with each other. I particularly remember the physically-challenging summer when I worked for Mr. Leeson during my university days. Although my career in education took me to the other end of the province, I was aware of the accomplishments of Fred’s career. When my family visited Mom, Jerry and Cody would always get together and into whatever mischief they could find. Fred will be missed by all who came in contact with him. I am pleased to see the accolades that he has so richly earned from those he touched. Our family will be thinking of yours and we send our most sincere sympathies at this most trying of times.
The Marshalls -Tom, Sandi, Carrie, Shauna, Cody.
I was saddened to hear of Fred
I was so sorry to hear of Fred’s passing especially at this time of year. I spent some wonderful ground breaking years in youth wrestling with Fred.
His special smile and soft spoken manner will not soon be forgotten. He touched so many amazing wrestlers from the London area …many of them still involved and giving back to the sport. I am so glad and proud to have been associated with such a dedicated and wonderful human being. My thoughts go out to the family.
Beth and Family,
I am very sad to hear of your loss. I send my condolences. My prayers are with you and your family. He was a great man.