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Bill LEACH Obituary
LGen (Retired) CMM CD
Suddenly April 1, 2015 at the age of 72. Widower of Mary Louise. Proud father of Kimberley (John Affleck), Marc (Céline Perrier) and Shelley. Devoted grandfather of Jamie and Jenna. Dear Brother of Karen. Predeceased by his parents Bill and Bea. Served as Chief of the Land Staff, from 1997 to 2000. Colonel Commandant to the Logistics Branch of the Canadian Armed Forces in 2011 to present. Also a recipient of the Canadian Order of Military Merit (Commander) and the United States Legion of Merit (Commander). Involved in a wide variety of volunteer activities. Served as Honorary Colonel of the Ottawa Service Battalion and as Chair of the Defence and Security Committee of the Royal Canadian Legion. He was also involved with the Military Families Fund and Support Our Troops initiatives and held board positions with the University of Ottawa, the Royal Ottawa Hospital and the Institute for Mental Health Research. He is the current Chair of the Board of the Canadian Museum of History and the Canadian War Museum. Friends are invited to gather at the Le Breton Gallery of the Canadian War Museum, 1 Vimy Place, Ottawa on Friday, April 10, 2015 after 10 a.m, where a Memorial Service will be held at 11 a.m. followed by a reception. A Private Family Interment Ceremony with Military Honours will be held at the National Military Cemetery of the Canadian Forces. In Lieu of flowers, donations to the Military Families Fund in memory of Bill would be appreciated.
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33 Entries
Jim Finch
April 6, 2019
Still remembered fondly and greatly missed.
Wayne Mac Culloch
March 31, 2019
Fondly remembered as leader, mentor, sounding board and friend by both my wife Deborah and I. Miss his sense of humour and wisdom, too. Hoping your pain at his passing is lessening and transforming into cherished memories that warm your hearts.
April 9, 2015
Bill's leadership and vision will be missed on CMH and CWM Boards. His confidence in his fellow trustees paved the way for a highly effective and honestly, happy participation by all involved. Bill, God bless and rest in peace. Andrea
Richard Porritt
April 9, 2015
I had the pleasure of serving with Bill over a number of tours. A great officer and a true gentleman - he will be missed.
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Nancy Marley-Clarke
April 8, 2015
Absolutely shocked to learn of Bill's death. He was so vibrant and active. It was an honour to have worked with him on the Board of the Friends. He was a great leader and a wonderful gentleman. Deepest sympathy to his family and grandchildren, of whom he spoke so fondly. What a great guy. He will be missed.
LCol (retd) Pat Read
April 8, 2015
My deepest sympathies and condolences to all.. General Bill was always a caring and passionate leader and gentleman, respected by so many in so many ways... A pleasure to know and serve with the man.
Yves Pedneault
April 8, 2015
An exceptional officer and individual I had the pleasure to know and served with in Germany late sixties! So long Bill and I will never forget!
I salute you Sir!
Major(ret)Yves Pedneault RCEME
Jim, John, Shelley Finch
April 8, 2015
Remembering a cousin that I personally respected and looked up to the last 50+ years - Karen, Kim, Marc And Shelley all our love
Dale Booth
April 8, 2015
Mr. Leach gave me a Canadian Forces medallion back in 1999 and I cherish and carry this medallion to this day and am very saddened to hear of his passing. I was able to reconnect with Mr Leach in 2006 when his grandson was playing hockey in NMHA. He was a very good man and my sincere condolences go out to his family.
April 8, 2015
My condolences to Bill's family. I had the privilege of serving under his command and to follow his enlightened lead at the Defense and Security Committee of Royal Canadian Legion. Nous nous souviendrons de vous, Mon Général.
Brad White
April 8, 2015
We have lost an exceptional Canadian, a real gentleman and mentor to many. Bill will be missed by many but his legacy will endure. We Will Remember Him. The Royal Canadian Legion has lost a great friend.
April 8, 2015
Dear Sis, Marc and Family,
Thinking of you all during this difficult time. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Love Aunt Trudie, Uncle Doug, Nick, Justin, Dynika, Adam, Amanda xoxox
April 7, 2015
Dear Sis, Marc & Family
Sorry to hear of your Dad. Thinking of you all
Love Aunt Theresa & Family
LCol Bruce Playfair, CD
April 7, 2015
He was a great HCol for 33 Svc Bn and a personal mentor and friend. I will always treasure our trips up to Petawawa and his many stories. A great man and a terrible loss. My condolences to all his family.
April 7, 2015
Marc, Celine, Kim, John, Shelly, Jenna, Jamie and Karen, our thoughts and prayers go out to you during this difficult time.
Love Kim Perrier, Val Amigao, Mitch and Taylor
oxoxo
April 7, 2015
My condolences and sincerest sympathy to both Jenna and Jamie - and of course to you Kim and the rest of your family.
I only just met Bill this year and thoroughly enjoyed being one of
the 2 old guys sitting together at hockey games chewing the fat. I particularly enjoyed his stories about his interactions with the Americans - both as a child and as a military man.
I know that I will miss him.
Elmars Sebrins B.Sc.Phm. & family.
Michael Sears
April 7, 2015
Bill was an exceptional man. I knew him for almost 40 years and have many fond and a couple of humorous memories of him. The Log Branch has lost a champion. My sincerest condolences to family and friends.
John MacLennan
April 7, 2015
I will certainly remember Bill as an advocate for the Public Service during the trying times in the nineties and thereafter. He understood that real human beings were behind decisions when downsizing DND. He was a manager with unique style that cared about working Canadians.
John MacLennan
National President
Union Of National Defence Employees
Maria Petrocco
April 6, 2015
Kim, Jamie & Jenna,
We are so very sorry to hear of your great loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time.
With sincere sympathy,
Maria, Ricardo, Roberto & Erika
Clarke,Olivia and Abby Pooler
April 6, 2015
Kim,John and family,
Bill was a soldiers soldier and a real gentleman. It was an honour just to know him. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Larry A. Mercer C.D.
April 6, 2015
My Sincere condolences to the Leach Family. Back in 1975 I was Bill's Driver
on a Exercise to C.F.B. Valcartier when
he was the DCO of 2 Service Battalion in Petawawa.We both called the Sarnia Ontario Area our Hometown
Rest In Peace Bill
Carolyn Percy-Searle
April 6, 2015
To the Leach family, I was shocked and saddened to learn of your father's sudden death. I worked for Colonel Leach in D a Financial Services for many years as his Staff Officer. I was a Caverly back then. He spoke so highly of his dear wife Mary and of all of you three children. He was smart, a gentleman and always had a dry sense of humour even when he was trying to quit smoking back then! We saw each other every odd year or so at conferences or military gatherings. He was my favourite boss and I always had so much respect for him as a man and a leader! He will be missed! Our deepest sympathies to you!
Wayne & Deborah Mac Culloch
April 6, 2015
Deborah and I extend our deepest sympathies to all of Bill's loved ones. He will be greatly missed by all who knoew him. We will cherish the warm memories of his friendship and helpful guidance.
Sheila Pujara
April 6, 2015
You and your family are in our prayers. Sorry to hear of your loss.
MGen(retd) Terry Hearn
April 6, 2015
I am deeply saddened by the passing of our Colonel Commandant, Lieutenant General Bill Leach. I have worked for and with Bill for more than forty years. He was a true leader and exemplary compatriot. My thoughts and prayers extend to his family in this time of grief.
Wesley Miller
April 6, 2015
Kimberley, Mark and Shelley
Claire and I would like to extend our deepest condolences to you for your loss. Having served many years with Bill, from Petawawa to Ottawa, I know his many stories will be missed. We are sure Mary was there to great him. RIP Bill you will always be in our memories.
Wes and Claire
April 6, 2015
We were honoured to have Bill on our board. He made a tremendous contribution. We will miss him greatly. Our deepest condolences.
Roxanne Anderson
Chair, The Royal's Institute of Mental Health Research
John Lesperance
April 6, 2015
It is with great sadness that I hear of the passing of LGen Leach. I had the great opportunity of working for him at FMCHQ in the mid-nineties. A wonderful gentleman. He will be missed. My heartfelt condolences to members of the family.
Anne & Doug, Chris Grose
April 6, 2015
Dear Kim & Jamie,
We would like to extend to your our deepest condolences for your loss. Your dad/grandfather was a wonderful man and it was a joy to be around him, we always enjoyed chatting with him at the Nepean Raiders hockey games. He will be sadly missed.
Warm regards,
Doug, Anne, Nick & Chris Grose
Robert Farrell
April 6, 2015
A distinguished soldier, a pillar of the Friends of the Canadian War Museum and a gentleman. He will be missed.
Yvan Morin
April 6, 2015
He was my mentor and a friend while I was the Logistics Branch Advisor. He will be forever in my memory and my heart. My most sincere sympathy to his family and friends.
Jean Giguere
April 6, 2015
The Canadian Museum of History and the War Museum have lost a great friend and supporter .
Bob Bova
April 6, 2015
Farewell Bill. You and Mary Louise are back together again.
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