Obituary of Leonard Antoine BRIN

June 28, 1930 – Coderre, Saskatchewan
October 27, 2020 – Calgary, Alberta

It is with great sadness that the family of Leonard Brin, announce his passing on Tuesday, October 27, 2020 at the age of 90 years.

Leonard was born on the family farm in Coderre, SK and was welcomed into a large tight knit family.  He was the fifteenth child of eighteen children and was the last survivor of that generation.  His family always came first for him.  He loved big family get-togethers, or just drop in visits from many family members to the shop. Leonard began farming at an early age on the family farm.  In 1964, he decided to go to barber school. Leonard graduated from the Maurice Systems Barber School and started barbering in Gravelbourg in 1964 with Henri Thibodeau.  On December 1st, 1965, Len started his own barbering business (later known as Len’s Barber Shop) which closed its doors for the last time on December 11, 2016, after fifty-two years in business. The barber shop became a meeting place for many to visit and catch up on the goings on in the town. Len’s Barber Shop is still in Gravelbourg as part of the Gravelbourg Museum. 

Leonard also visited the Foyer Care Home or hospital weekly or whenever he was needed for more than twenty-seven years, providing haircuts to residents or patients. He retired aged eighty-six in Okotoks, AB, where he and Anne could be closer to their kids and grandkids. He had an extraordinary (or uncanny) ability to remember everyone’s birthdays in the extended family.  You could ask him any name and he knew when the birthday or anniversary was.

Leonard found a lot of joy in the simple things in life. He loved to bake and on his days off, he was always trying a new recipe he found. He loved to play cards and up until a month ago, he could still win at crib. He didn’t read or hear a joke he didn’t like and would oftentimes share them. Leonard spent countless hours in spring, summer and fall in his garden, which was his pride and joy. He enjoyed showing his garden off to anyone who stopped by. He did newspaper crosswords every night to keep sharp and didn’t quit until he was done. The year 2020 was a momentous one for Leonard, as he celebrated his ninetieth birthday and his fifty-second wedding anniversary. 

Besides his loving wife Anne, Leonard will be remembered by his son and daughter-in-law, Darryl and Coralee Brin; his daughter Roxanne Brin and her partner Robin Trotman; daughter and son-in-law, Noreen and Ray MacDonald; and grandchildren, Dominic and Denae Brin, Brynn MacDonald and Jaylene Trotman. His sense of humor and generosity will be missed by his many nieces and nephews as well as his remaining sisters-in-law, Kathleen Young, Sandra Brin, and Edna Brin.  Leonard is also survived by Anne’s family, her sisters, Marlene and Gene Pulak, Patricia Ackerman, Evelyn Botham, and Janet and Grant Putnam.

Leonard was predeceased by his parents, Charles-Emile (January 5, 1955) and Rosilda (November 28, 1990); siblings, Cecile Gaucher (December 13, 2001), O’Neil (September 24, 1984), Merle (March 10, 1965), Archie (December 3, 1975), Eugene (May 11, 1978), Ovide  (1977),  Alfred (November 24, 2009), Adelard (July 6, 2001), Lucie (1923), Lawrence (December 17, 1985), Lucien (1925), Simone Wirges (December 28, 1988), Alphonse (February 8, 1994), Hector (1928), Hubert (July 23, 1993), Hector (1934) and Edgar (April 3, 2018).  

A Private Funeral Service will be held at McINNIS & HOLLOWAY (Fish Creek, 14441 Bannister Road SE, Calgary, AB). Condolences, memories and photos may be shared and viewed on Leonard’s obituary at www.McInnisandHolloway.com.

In living memory of Leonard Brin, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES, Fish Creek, 14441 Bannister Road SE, Calgary, AB T2X 3J3, Telephone: 403-256-9575.