Leslie Wyatt Sutton

"Promoted to Glory"

Leslie Wyatt Sutton passed away peacefully at the age of 93 years on New Year’s Day at the Victoria Hospital in Winnipeg. Left to cherish his memory are his son, Frank (Margaret) of Oakville, Ontario, granddaughter Lisa (Klaus Jagoditsch) of New York, New York, and grandson Sean (Polly) of Toronto, Ontario, and his daughter Janet (Dennis) Swayze, granddaughter Natalie Swayze, grandson Chad Swayze, and granddaughter Carmen (Corey) Fredborg of Winnipeg, as well as great-granddaughters Shyla and Emmrie Fredborg. He is also lovingly remembered by his special friend Dorothy Murphy. Les was married to Kathleen Sarah Sutton at All Saints Anglican Church on August 1, 1941. Kay was a devoted and loving wife of 50 years who predeceased him on August 4, 1991 He was also predeceased by his parents, Freeman (Frank) and Eva Sutton, as well as four brothers, Stanley, Gerald, John (Jack), and George, and sister Eva Benoit. Memorial Service will be held at 2:00 pm on Saturday, January 22, 2011, at Thomson “In the Park” Funeral Home, 1291 McGillivray Blvd. with Major Darrell Jackson officiating. His ashes will be interred at Waverley Memorial Cemetery in the Spring. Immediately following the service a gathering of friends will be held at Thomson “In the Park”. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Salvation Army Winnipeg East Community Church Building Fund, 401 Henderson Highway, Winnipeg, Manitoba R2K 2H4 or CancerCare Manitoba Foundation, Room ON1160, 675 McDermot Avenue, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3E 0V9.

Les worked hard all his life. His exemplary 43 year career with Sherwin-Williams Paints, formerly Canada Paint, began on March 4, 1935, as an industrial paint salesman, and ended as an Office Manager on Sherwin Road. From 1942 to 1945 he honorably served in radar in the Royal Canadian Air Force in the Maritimes. While employed with Sherwin-Williams he was asked to present The Sherwin-Williams Trophy for annual pole archery competition to the Robin Hood Archery Club. In 1982 the Sherwin-Williams Trophy was retired and the “Hoods” honored Dad with The Les Sutton Trophy that is still being presented annually. Les and Kay made many lifelong friends at The Belgian Club.

Anyone who knew him knew what a gentle man he was. He spoke gently and acted gently with dignity, quietness, and sincerity. He radiated friendship with his smiling face, hearty handshake, and remembering your name. He was involved with the Optimist International Club of Winnipeg. He was especially interested and helped with their youth speech contests and encouraged disadvantaged youth to participate. As an eternal optimist he would say “Keep going, thinking good thoughts.” He was also a Past District 64 Governor and International Director of Toastmasters International. Through Toastmasters Les and Kay attended International Conventions in New York, Denver, and San Diego, to name a few, and made many more lifelong friends. In the 50’s he was President of the Riverview Community Centre where Les and Kay spent many enjoyable years square dancing. He was an active curler for many years, mostly at the Fort Garry Curling Club, when it was located on Main Street between the bridges, the Granite, as well as other clubs.

In “retirement” Dad coached Defensive Driving and 55 Alive, a seniors driving program. He delivered “Meals on Wheels” out of the St. Amant Centre. Since 1978 summers were spent in the “mobile” at the Gimli Trailer Park, now the Autumnwood RV Resort. One of Les and Kay’s favorite tropical vacations was to Hawaii. They said it is just as beautiful as you imagine it with amazing colorful and fragrant flowers.

Les and Kay were members of Riverview United Church. When Kay passed Les sought and found comfort returning to the Salvation Army, the church in which he has been raised. He became a Soldier at the Winnipeg Citadel on Father’s Day, 1995. It is there that he met Dorothy Murphy who has become such an important part of our family, and they attended Winnipeg East Community Church as recently as Thanksgiving Sunday, 2010.

The family sincerely thanks Dr. Sheldon Permack, as well as all the doctors and nurses of the Victoria Hospital, Home Care, Winnipeg Fire Paramedics, and the staff and residents of the Shaftesbury Park Retirement Residence for their friendship, support, loving care, and compassion. You went above and beyond.

“A butterfly’s time on Earth is short – sometimes no longer than a day. Yet in its brief span it lives a butterfly’s lifetime, bringing unforgettable flashes of beauty to our world. It also symbolizes rebirth. From humble caterpillar to cocoon, to the emergence of a glorious winged creature – the butterfly is one of Nature’s everyday miracles. Love is never lost.”