Leon Joseph Tessier

Leon Tessier Obituary

Leon Joseph Tessier

Leon Joseph Tessier, 60, peacefully passed away on Sunday, October 3, 2010 surrounded by his family. He was born on February 28, 1950 in Yakima, WA and was welcomed/adopted as the first of five children of Wallace "Wally" and Irene (Desharnais) Tessier.
Leon was educated in Yakima and moved to Spokane to study art at Spokane Falls Community College. He married the love of his life, Alice Colgan, on August 7, 1971 and their happy union produced four sons. The family moved to Olympia in 1978, where Leon was employed with Safeway until his health declined.
Leon's family was first and foremost throughout his life. He was a loving husband and father, and was looking forward to meeting his first grandchild in early December.
He was a versatile man with many interests. He loved nature and just being outdoors, as his landscaping efforts and garden attest. He knew his way around the kitchen and consistently dazzled guests with his culinary skills. He had an innate artistic sense that wonderfully manifested itself in paintings and landscape design. He enjoyed traveling, and had the knack of discovering all the best restaurants and haunts to visit. A favorite getaway was to Seaside, OR, where the Tessier family enjoyed many memorable romps over the years.
Leon is survived by his wife, Alice; four sons, Ryan (Rachel), twin sons Jeff and Jason and Andrew, all of Olympia; one soon-to-be-born granddaughter, Brooke Tessier; three sisters, Cherie Tessier of Olympia, Vickie Lane and Teresa (Dan) Higbee of Yakima; and one brother, Leonard, of Spokane. Leon also considered the Colgan family to be his own, including brothers and sisters-in-law Joe (Pat) Colgan, Kent, WA, Janet (Carl) Jett and John (Monica) Colgan, Yakima; Tom Colgan, SJ, of Buffalo, NY, Paul (Connie) Colgan, Olympia, Mary (Tom) McDonnell of Stevenson, WA and Philip (Cheryl) Colgan, Kennewick, WA. He had numerous aunts and uncles and nieces and nephews and so many others he called friend. Leon was highly loved and will be greatly missed.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his mother-in-law, Laurene Colgan.
A vigil service will be held at Sacred Heart Catholic Church at 7:00 p.m. on Friday October 8. Mass of the Resurrection to celebrate Leon's life will take place on Saturday, October 9 at 11:00 a.m at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Olympia. Burial will follow at Woodlawn Funeral Home.
Gifts in memory of Leon may be made to the Ray and Laurene Colgan Fund, for single mothers. Please send to Yakima Valley Community Foundation, 111 University Parkway, Suite 103, Yakima, WA 98901.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Olympian on Oct. 6, 2010.

Memories and Condolences
for Leon Tessier

7 Entries

cherie tessier

October 24, 2010

thank you alice and boys for being part of the family. sister theresa said the best the services were beautiful. love cherie

Sir Knight Bruce TENNEY

October 24, 2010

As a close family friend and past active valete of Cherie Tessier from 1982 till 2006, when he ceased driving around the State and Country; chauffeuring her home in Yakima, to visit her parents until their passing. I am still a close friend her and others.

Theresa Higbee

October 11, 2010

To Alice, Ryan, Jeff, Jason, Andrew, Rachel Tessier:

I just want to say that the service was the most beautiful I have ever seen. It was a great tribute to my big brother Leon. I know he Loved us all but most of all you Alice and all through out his life he showed you. I was bless for having him for a brother. Now all of you are going to be blesseed with him watching over you. Little Brook will have the best Guardian Angle a Child could ever want. Leon's legacy will live on through all of his future Grand children. I Love you all and hopre to see you all soon. Please know our door is always open for any of you. Praying for God's peace to stay with you all the days of your lives.
Love always Dan Theresa & Girls.

October 8, 2010

Alice and family we are so sorry for your loss. We hope the new granddaughter helps fill the void for all of you,we will keep you in our thoughts and prayers. Jack and Theresa(Pieti) Smith

October 7, 2010

In the short time we have lived accross the street from Alice and Leon they have become dear friends. Alice , Ron, Kolton and I are so sorry for your loss and please let us know if we can help in any way.

Laurie, Ron and Kolton (Lacey WA)

Terri Schmidt-Dean

October 7, 2010

I am so sorry to hear about Leon's passing, my sympathy to your family. Years ago when my brother Ted passed away Leon sent me a card which had a wonderful verse in it and this verse helped me and my family in times of sorrow.

The verse read,

Trust ME when dark doubts assail you,
Trust ME when thy strength is small,
Trust ME when to simply trust ME
Seems the hardest thing of all.

I hope you can find comfort in this verse the way it has helped my family.

My memories of Leon are his laugh, his sense of humor, his love for art and the his family's green Chevy station wagon that he drove. May you find comfort in his memories.

Stacy Everett

October 6, 2010

To the family of Leon,

I'm terribly sorry to hear of your loss. No words can express the sorrow I feel for all of you. I just wanted to let you know that I have thought about Leon on and off through the years when I first learned he was sick. I have many memories of both growing up across the street from you and working at Safeway with Leon. He was a kind and sincere man. You will all continue to be in my thoughts and prayers and I hope you can find some peace during this difficult time.

Stacy Everett (Daughter of Shirley Mooney. Grew up on Marquette St. with all the Tessier boys. Worked at Safeway with Leon back in the early 90s)

Showing 1 - 7 of 7 results