Leo Soulodre, 1951 - 2007

Léo Etienne Joseph Soulodre passed away on Tuesday, December 25, 2007 after a brief struggle with cancer at 56 years of age. His love and strength will remain in the hearts of family and many friends. Léo was born on November 1, 1951 in St. Boniface, Manitoba to Paul and Rita (Sabourin) Soulodre. Léo had many happy memories of growing up in the Peace River area, especially the town of Donnelly, Alberta. He often told stories of working with the local bee keepers to earn 25 cents. The money was always spent on candy. He helped his father in Donnelly Corner restaurant during his teenage years During his teenage years he helped his dad in the Donnelly Corner restaurant. His culinary skills were born with the flip of a burger and the hot oil of fries. This early training somehow evolved into artistic platter presentations of carved turkey, barbecued steaks seared to perfection, and smoked fish and jerky. His lifelong interest in hunting and fishing started after high school while working in the bush with the forestry service running supplies to fire crews. Léo loved being outdoors and wandering through the bush. During this time he also attended the University of Alberta and worked as a chainman for a survey crew. After marrying his sweetheart Teresa Ciesielski on August 9, 1975 Léo decided to learn a trade that would support the family he hoped to have someday. He choose the glass trade and started his apprenticeship with Kinniburgh Glass in Edmonton. For the next four years he worked at learning his trade. He also learned many other valuable skills during this time. Léo purchased his first home which was an old farmstead on three acres of land near Busby, Alberta. He soon realized that in order to make the house livable for his expectant wife he would have to learn plumbing, electrical, cabinetry, drywalling, sump pumps, gardening etc. He became known as the member of the family that could fix anything. One day he saw a help wanted ad in the newspaper for a glassman at Nordic Glass in Fairview, Alberta. At last, he could return to the Peace River area that he loved. He received his journeyman glazier status and spent seven wonderful years in Fairview. It was with a heavy heart that Léo choose in 1986 to move his now young family of three children to Saskatoon. His interest in working on larger construction projects and living close to a university for his children’s education were his reasons for moving to Saskatoon, Saskat- chewan. He was employed with Clearlite Glass for eight years. During this time he also went to university at night and graduated from the business administration program. He then operated his own contracting business for seven years focusing mainly on residential windows and doors. Word of his great workmanship spread fast and his business was very successful. The long days were beginning to wear on him so in 2001 he accepted an estimator/manager job with AFG Glass and hung up his tools. Léo was very happy to have had this experience in the estimating area of the trade. In 2005, AFG closed their Saskatoon office and Léo returned to his first true love – the tool belt. He returned to work at Clearlite Glass and was employed there until his passing. Léo was a quiet, gentle man with a huge heart. He was always willing to give more of himself in everything he did than in what he received. He worked hard all his life out of love for his family. Léo learnt many lessons from his father that he passed on to his own children. He wanted them to learn, from his example, that hard work, faith in God, and helping others would bring them peace and happiness. His love and strength will remain in the hearts of family and many friends. He is survived by his wife of 32 years Teresa, his children Etienne and his wife Jodie, their son Isaac, Robert and his wife Amanda, Claire and her husband Paul McTavish, his mother Rita Soulodre, brothers Maurice(Cheryl), Paul (Mary-Kay), Henri (Sabine), Claude (Rebecca), sisters Pat (Laurent Terrault), Etiennette, Renee (Albert LaFrance) and father-in-law Max Ciesielski. He is predeceased by his father Paul Soulodre and his mother-in-law Anne Ciesielski. A Vigil of Prayers was held on December 28 and the Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on December 29. Both services were held at Holy Spirit Roman Catholic Church, 114 Kingsmere Place, Saskatoon, celebrated by Reverend Fr. Ken Beck. Rite of Committal took place at Hillcrest Memorial Gardens, Saskatoon. Léo Soulodre’s family thanks you sincerely for sharing in their sorrow. Your thoughtfulness is appreciated and will always be remembered. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to the Palliative Care Unit of St. Paul’s Hospital (1702 – 20th Street West, Saskatoon, SK S7L 3S2) in Léo’s name. I will never forget you…I have carved you upon the palms of my hands. Isaiah 49:15-16.