Leonard R. Watkins

December 01, 1938 - December 28, 2014

Leonard Russell Watkins or "Len" as he liked to be called, passed away after a prolonged battle with cancer, at Hospice on December 28. He was born in Buckinghamshire, England in 1938 and became Head Boy and Prefect of his secondary school in Newport Pagnell, which he also represented in boxing and cross country running.

Len was a true weaponless English "Bobby" who retired in 1988 after thirty years of service, with an Exemplary record and having been commended. He did his initial training with the London Metropolitan Police in 1957, moving to the former Huntingdonshire Constabulary in 1960. He was assigned to patrol duties in Godmanchester, Ramsey and Fletton and in 1966 joined the Huntingdon CID, taking courses in fingerprinting, photography, scene-of-crime and detection, before being promoted to Sergeant in 1973. During his career, Len was awarded four medals. After retirement, he worked once again for the Cambridgeshire Constabulary in a civilian capacity for five years. Len served as President, Region 13 (Vancouver Island) of the International Police Association from December 2005 to December 2013.

Len was very proud to be an Englishman. He was the first Queen Scout in northern Buckinghamshire and represented the County at the St. George's Day Parade at Windsor Castle in the presence of HM Queen Elizabeth II. One of the most valued moments in his life was when his daughter Elizabeth received the Duke of Edinburgh award from HRH Prince Philip at Buckingham Palace in July 1983.

Len lost three wives to cancer: Ruby Lillian (Moore) at Peterborough, England in 1987; Jill Mary (Staton Cockerill) at Peterborough, England in 1997; and Paula Margaret (Curtis Machan Green) at Victoria, BC in 2000. He also lost his only daughter, Elizabeth Ann (+John Osborne) to a brain embolism at the age of 34 in 1996.

Len will be deeply missed by his wife of thirteen years, Beverley (Robertson Bates Straub); her older son, Bryce Bates (+Monika Brandstaetter) and younger son Carl Straub. Len leaves behind to mourn him in England an adopted son Andrew Garwood (+Stephanie O'Shea), his brother David John (+Ruth Saunders); and two sisters Alma Jean (+Ray Simons); and Patricia May (+Jim Goodliff); as well as four doting grandchildren: Emily, Joshua, Georgina and Amelia.

Heartfelt thanks to his physician, Dr. Stephen Roome, and anesthetist, Dr. Nelson Suokdahl, as well as to the staff of Victoria Hospice for their unstinting support throughout these difficult months.

A Memorial Service will be held at the Interfaith Chapel, University of Victoria, 3800 Finnerty Road on Saturday 17 January 2015 at 2:30 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations to Victoria Hospice, www.victoriahospice.org, would be greatly appreciated.