Obituary of Leo Ornest

Leo was born in Edmonton, AB and passed away at the age of 84. He proudly served his country in the Canadian Navy during WWII. He attended the University of Southern California majoring in Journalism and went on to a successful career as a professional sports executive. For nearly fifty years Leo excelled in the fields of television broadcasting, advertising, sales, marketing, publishing and editing. Leo was mentored by Lester Patrick and John Percy Page. He began his career with the BC Lions Football Club. Leo was the Vice President of the World Hockey Association and President of the Portland Beavers (Triple A baseball club). In the 1970s Leo introduced the new Atlanta Flames Logo. He worked with friend Charles Schulz to bring Snoopy to the Flames program covers. Leo was also a Vice President of the Calgary Flames from their inception through the early 1990s including the 1989 Flames Stanley Cup championship season. Career highlights included the trip Leo took to Russia in 1990 with the Stanley Cup Champion Calgary Flames; publishing and editing the NHL All Star Game Program and being instrumental in the opening of Philadelphia’s Spectrum, Atlanta’s Omni and Calgary’s Saddledome as an Executive Vice President for each organization. Leo was the last of four brothers and is survived by his daughter Lindalee Fromm; two sons, James Ornest and John Ornest; four grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. A Celebration of Leo’s Life will be held at McINNIS & HOLLOWAY’S, Park Memorial Chapel (5008 Elbow Drive S.W.) on Thursday, September 25, 2008 at 2:30 p.m. Forward condolences through www.mcinnisandholloway.com. In living memory of Leo Ornest, a tree will be planted at Fish Creek Provincial Park by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES Park Memorial Chapel, 5008 ELBOW DRIVE S.W. Telephone: (403) 243-8200.