Obituary of Leon Joseph PLOTKINS

March 1, 1923 - Calgary, Alberta
May 9, 2021 – Calgary, Alberta

Leon Plotkins of Calgary, AB, passed peacefully from his earthly life to his eternal rest on Sunday, May 9, 2021 at the age of 98 years.

Leon is survived by Alice, his beloved wife of almost fifty years, his sisters, Suzanne Butler (Gerald) and Lucille Panet-Raymond his brother Pierre Plotkins and sister-in-law Alice. He was predeceased by his parents, Leon and Gertrude Plotkins; his brother Phillip and Robert  and  his sisters, Evangeline Plotkins, Annette de Champlain (Paul), Marie Plotkins and brother-in-law Antoine Panet-Raymond;. Left to remember all the love he had for them are his beloved nieces and nephews (and the greats). There is much solace in knowing that Leon now stands straight and tall again, he is free from pain. 

Leon lead a varied, productive and rewarding life. As a very young man he served with R.C.A.F. in England during WWII. He was the bomb aimer in a Lancaster bomber, and was awarded the D.F.C. for his service. He was a truck driver for some time, and he worked in oil leasing in Saskatchewan where he learned a lot about farmers and farming. He earned his B. of Comm. At U of A (he was a football player with the Golden Bears), and he got his law degree at U.B.C. He practiced law for many years, was a mentor to many. Some of his clients became dear friends. He was a very successful land developer. 

Sports of all kinds, both participating and spectating, were a big part of his life. He always pulled for the Flames, Stampeders, Alouettes and the Canadien’s. Arnold Palmer was his golf hero. He played handball and golf, and he swam at the downtown YMCA until he no longer could climb in and out of the pool by himself, he was in his early nineties by then. He loved golfing and being a member of the Earl Grey Golf Club for over fifty years. He made so many good friends there. Great family dinners and celebrations were held there over the years. He so looked forward to his weekend matches with Alice. He was a fierce competitor – no quarter asked, none given! He was greatly inspired by Terry Fox and Rick Hansen. 

Many thank you’s go to Leon’s very caring and capable caregivers of three years, Ruben, Peter and Marissa. With out them he would not have been able to live comfortably and safely at home with Alice as long as he did. He very much appreciated their care and companionship. Also, thank you so very much to the wonderful staff at Mayfair Care Centre. They made his final journey as comfortable as possible. They are all such kind and care people. 

There will not be a funeral service. A family gathering will be held at a later date, when Covid rules permit. 
 
Flowers are gratefully declined. To honour Leon’s memory please wear a poppy in November and fill the “Sally Ann Kettles” in December. The Salvation Army was very kind to all the Canadian servicemen in England, and Leon never forgot. He was a “fallen away” Catholic who found out later in life that his Dad was of Jewish descent. His sister Evangeline was a Catholic nun. He married Alice, a life-long Lutheran. He took great delight in all this “mixed theology”, as he called it. He was a kind and decent man, whose generosity to family simply knew no bounds. 

“Rest well, Honey! My utmost love and gratitude go to you for being my husband, for believing in me and trusting me to do the right thing, for your generous heart, for showing my Mother great kindness, for teaching me the difference between a bull market and bear market, for bringing me Spring crocuses that you picked yourself, the fun/crazy road trips where you thought it was such great fun to see how far the car could go on fumes, for loving my family, for being my dragon slayer, and so very much more. Dance with the Angels and soar with the eagles, and give your opinion to all! We will be together again, and I will love you until the end of time. Your Alice”.

1 Corinthian 13:4

Condolences, memories and photos may be shared and viewed on Leon’s obituary at www.McInnisandHolloway.com.

In living memory of Leon Plotkins, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Park Memorial, 5008 Elbow Drive SW, Calgary, AB T2S 2L5, Telephone: 403-243-8200.