18-Jul-1940 - 02-Apr-2023
William George Leck, 82, loving and beloved husband, father, grandfather, foster dad, brother, uncle and friend, passed away peacefully at Tompkins House on April 2, 2023.
George was born on July 18, 1940, in Kirkland Lake, Ontario. He spent his young life in Schumacher, Manitoulin Island, Grand Valley, Hornby, and Simcoe. He studied at Albert College and Waterloo Lutheran University (now Wilfred Laurier) and earned a Bachelor of Arts in Religion from McMaster University. He later earned an Honours Bachelor of Social Work from Laurentian University.
He met Louise, his wife of more than 56 years, through the United Church Young People’s Union. They married in 1966 and soon after moved to Timmins, Ontario, where they bought Aurumdale Farm in Mountjoy Township. From 1969 to 1974, they ran a dairy farm, and opened their home to 25 teenaged foster kids, offering a safe and loving home for young people in crisis.
George began his 45+ year career in child welfare in 1962. He was well-respected and recognized as a leader and innovator in the field. He started as an untrained child protection worker in Welland County and Frontenac County, where he was known to carry a blow torch to thaw out his clients’ pipes in cold Ontario winters. He moved on to be a Children’s Aid Society executive director for 25 years in Timmins (1975-1983) and Simcoe County (1983-2000); then Director of Child Welfare for Ontario, but only briefly as George had a very low tolerance for government bureaucracy; and finally, Director of Information Technology at the Ontario Association of Children’s Aid Societies, where he was a leading advocate for a provincial child welfare information system.
He was known to use wily and occasionally devious strategies to get more money from the Ministry for needed services for children and families, which endeared him to his staff and the kids he was passionate about helping. He retired in 2008.
George grew up the son of a United Church minister but spent many years away from the church. St. Paul’s United (Midland) became George’s cherished faith family particularly after his retirement. He was an active member of the board and served on several committees. The St. Paul’s community rallied to support him after his Parkinson’s diagnosis and the Leck family is grateful for these important friendships.
Without a doubt, George loved best his work as a father and grandfather, as anyone who has had to listen to him speak proudly about his family can attest. He was happiest rocking a baby in his recliner, with a toddler on his lap on the tractor, pulling the kids in the wagon, or watching his grandkids playing hockey, baseball or music.
George was predeceased by his daughter Jennifer Louise; his parents, the Reverend William George and Ginger Leck; his parents-in-law Ralph and Eva Gowan; and his sister-in-law Debbie Leck. He is survived by his wife Louise; his children, Eve, George, and Rachel and their spouses, Blain Dusome, Laura Robinson and Desneiges Mitchell; his chosen son, Jeff Martin (Rhonda); his adored grandchildren, Abby, Iris, Liam, Xavier, Alex, Eden and Rowan; his siblings Lori Payne (Gerry), Marilyn Blair (Robert), Les Leck (Fran); his Gowan brothers- and sisters-in-law, and many cousins, nieces and nephews.
The family is grateful to the entire staff at Georgian Manor, where George lived since 2019; the nurses and doctors who cared for him at Georgian Bay General Hospital; and the nurses, doctor, volunteers and staff at Tompkins House (Hospice Huronia), where George received end-of-life care with incredible dignity, kindness, and compassion.
Services will be held at St. Paul’s United Church, Midland, on April 28, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. A livestream of the service will be available on the St. Paul’s United (Midland) website. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to St. Paul’s United Church, or Hospice Huronia.
Arrangements entrusted to LeClair Cremation Centre
