Obituary of Laurier Herdman McLeod

May 2, 1948 – Coleman, Alberta

July 4, 2023 – Calgary, Alberta

It is with sadness that the family of Laurier McLeod announce his passing. Laurier McLeod of Calgary, AB, passed away on Tuesday, July 4, 2023, at the age of 75 years. Laurier died peacefully at home, per his wishes, in the presence of family, after battling multiple illnesses.

Laurier was born May 2, 1948 in Coleman, AB, to parents Walter and Louise (nee Aldoff) McLeod, and was the eldest of the couple’s three children. Laurier was raised and attended primary and secondary school in Coleman, though it should be noted that we use the term “attended” loosely, he did not have any particular fondness for school, and the skill studied most intensely during this time was creative ways to avoid class.

In his mid-20s, Laurier relocated to Yellowknife, NWT, (for reasons unknown, Yellowknife is great if you don’t mind perpetual darkness, and the opposite of temperate weather for a good portion of the year). While in Yellowknife, Laurier worked in a variety of occupations, beginning with driving fuel trucks for Imperial Esso at the airport, and later taking over the business.  He also worked for the government of the Northwest Territories with fuel tanks, and installations and, from there, opened his own video store during the rise of Betamax technology, so, you know, a really, really long time ago.

While in Yellowknife, Laurier also married Lynette McAvoy on May 19, 1977.  The couple had two children, Rod, and Shannon, before divorcing March 26, 1990.

In the late 1980s, Laurier relocated to Diamond City, AB, working for Casino ABS while attending Lethbridge College studying business.  Thankfully with a much less loose use of the terms “attending” and “studying”. After finishing school at Lethbridge College, Laurier relocated to Coaldale and began working in long haul trucking for H&R Transport. He continued in the trucking business until retirement in 2020. During his time in Coaldale, he met and would go on to become common-law partner to Gwen Parsons and step-father to children Jesse, and Marley.

Laurier relocated to Calgary, AB, in the early 2000s, where he remained living with special childhood friend Vivia Alampi, with whom he grew up, attended school, and dated during his youth, until his passing. He also lived with his two cats Fin, and Sasha, engaged in an ongoing, and epic battle over consumption of the spider plant to the end. Laurier’s family would like to extend heartfelt thanks, and appreciation to Vivia for lovingly caring for Laurier at home during his final days. Having known the man our entire lives, one of the many things Laurier imparted was a profound contemplation, and appreciation for the phrase “stubborn as an ox”.

Laurier was a classically trained pianist and, in his younger days, could often be found at his piano perfecting Cara Irene’s “What a Feeling” (yes, the Flash dance song).  Laurier’s love and aptitude for music were passed on to his descendants, particularly son Rod, and grandson Seamus (though their musical tastes diverged somewhat from 80s film soundtracks).  

Despite residing in Calgary, AB, for the last 22 years of his life, Laurier was an avid Edmonton Oilers fan from the club’s inception. When attending events at the Calgary Saddle Dome, he would regularly jest with other eventgoers as to his difficulty finding the Calgary Flames’ one, and only Stanley Cup championship banner in the building.  This is a joke that has and continues to remain relevant since 1989. Just saying. He was also a fan of the Calgary Hitmen, Toronto Blue Jays, and an enthusiastic supporter of the Olympic games.

Laurier was also a professional driver, with an accident-free driving record during his many years trucking, and would regularly espouse this expertise, largely unsolicited, often passionately, toward other drivers on the province’s roads.  He also passed this expertise and propensity for sharing unsolicited driving instruction along to his descendants, particularly daughter Shannon, and grandson Seamus (he is anxiously awaiting the day he is old enough to hold a learner’s permit).  Receiving driving and traffic rule instruction from his grandson at the age of five onward was often a source of great amusement for Laurier. He had many stories of his adventures in trucking that he enjoyed sharing both for the entertainment of others as well as himself.

In his later years, Laurier also became an avid gardener… and would regularly share this expertise, largely unsolicited, often passionately, with others, including while they assisted him in putting his annual garden in. He had a particular fondness for roses and lilies. He was also a “techie” throughout his life, keeping up with trends in computing, and related technologies, and exposing his children to home computing, and gaming from an early age.  

Laurier most enjoyed family, celebrations, and spending time with those closest to him. He was very much a vibrant, special sort of character, living life, including in his final days, and through death, on his own terms. He will be deeply missed.

Laurier is survived by special friend Vivia Alampi, son Rod (Sarah), daughter Shannon (James), step-children Jesse, and Marley Parsons; grandson Seamus, step-grandchildren Vanora, Suza, and Mika; sister Rina Jean (Dennis) Beech, niece Brandy, and, step-father Jack Retzlaff, and close family friend Rob "Robbie" Magel. With his passing, he joins parents Walter and Louise, and brother Dean.

In keeping with his wishes, there will be no funeral service.  Condolences, memories, jokes, and the like can be shared and viewed here.

In living memory of Laurier Herdman McLeod, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Heritage, 1708 – 16th Avenue NW, Calgary, AB, T2M 0L7, Telephone: 403-243-8200.