Obituary of Leslie Pardoe

June 20, 1934 – London, England
November 8, 2022 – Calgary, Alberta

Les Pardoe, beloved husband of Gwenda Pardoe, of Calgary, AB, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, November 8, 2022, at the age of 88 years, with Gwenda by his side.

Les was a recognized musician and proud member of the Calgary Musician’s Union. He created Music Concord and performed his trademark “conversation friendly” jazz on piano, vibraphone, and marimba, and recorded several CDs. He was well known at many venues including, but not limited to, the Palliser Hotel, Spruce Meadows, and Kananaskis Village. 

Les was also physically active, rediscovering his passion for running in his 40’s, and finished the Calgary Marathon in 1988. He also completed runs along the 21km Goat Creek Trail connecting Spray Lakes to Banff on the occasions of his 65th, 70th and 75th birthdays. Les was still running weekly early in 2022, and then shorter walks up until two weeks before his passing. He was truly incredible. 

In addition to Gwenda, Les is survived by his three sons, Glen (Laura-Gene) of Calgary, AB, Martin (Suzanne) of Whistler, BC, and Lester (Rachel) of Lyons, Colorado; as well as by his five grandchildren, Duncan, Scott, Makenzie, Madeline, and Sebastian.

Les’s family wishes to thank the staff of the Peter Lougheed Centre, the Heart Function Clinic at the Foothills Hospital, Alberta Health Services Home Care, as well as Doctors Kathy Johns and Maria Figura, for providing such outstanding care and attention to Les, particularly through the latter half of 2022 as his condition became more challenging for him to manage and accept.

If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to the Terry Fox Foundation, 16A, 6120 – 2nd Street S.E., Calgary, AB T2H 2L8 Telephone: (403) 212-1336, terryfox.org/donate or to the Alberta Children’s Hospital Foundation, 28 Oki Drive NW, Calgary, AB T3B 6A8, Telephone: (403) 955.8818. www.childrenshospital.ab.ca

At Les’s request, there will be no funeral or memorial service.

In living memory of Leslie Pardoe, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes.