Leslie Harold Wright

March 13, 1930 – October 11, 2022

Leslie was born in the District of Lambeth, in London, England to Wesley and Louisa Wright on March 13th, 1930. Leslie did not enter this world alone as his Twin sister Eva arrived 30 minutes before him. Leslie and Eva were number 5 and 6 of the seven children born to Wesley and Louisa. They grew up in a little two story home on the grounds of Rosendale Primary School in West Dulwich where their father was the Caretaker. Being the child of a school caretaker had its advantages as the children always had a playground and a gymnasium to play in.

Leslie loved music and liked to practice playing violin with the accompaniment of his older sister Barbara who was a gifted pianist. He especially loved singing and became a choir boy at the All Saints Church in West Dulwich as he loved the sound of the vocal harmonies.

When World War 2 hit in 1939 the children were sent out to the countryside for safety. Leslie and his brother Reginald were fortunate enough to be placed in Leatherhead County at Lord Beaverbrook’s Estate where Leslie had fond memories of Lord Beaverbrook’s fancy cars and his daughter bringing the younger boys sweets when she would come to the estate to go riding.

He remained there until it was determined that the younger boys could no longer stay at the estate. Leslie was moved to another home in the countryside where he was quite unhappy as one of the daughters of the household would make him do her chores as well as his own and was quite nasty to him. His mother would write to check on him and once he let her know how he was being treated, she came and got him straight away. His mum used to hate it when Leslie would run to the window when the war planes would fly over their home and they would have to run and take shelter under a big metal table in their kitchen.

In 1948 Leslie enlisted in the Royal Air Force where he served for 2 years in Air Traffic Control. Once completed Leslie took on a clerical job in London where he fondly remembers looking out the office window as Queen Elizabeth’s Coronation procession went by. In his leisure time Leslie loved to go to the sports club where his brother Reggie was a member and enjoyed playing Tennis and Cricket.

At the age of 25, Leslie along with 3 of his close friends decided to immigrate to Canada. In June 1955, after an 11-day journey aboard the Arosa Star, Leslie and his mates arrived in Quebec. Once in Quebec they made their way to Winnipeg for employment with the CN Railway Company. It was here that Leslie met his life long friend Ron Woolems. Ron was a real character. Leslie laughed as he recalled an incident where he (Leslie) was standing at the side of the tracks waiting for the train to pull in. As the train rolled in, much to his surprise Ronnie was standing on the engine deck with a full bucket of water and threw it on him. A prank which Leslie later repaid when Ronnie least expected it.

From Winnipeg Leslie and the lads went on to Jasper, Albert. Leslie was a fireman for the rail company where he enjoyed traveling through the beautiful Canadian Mountain Range. He mentioned how one day he was particularly baffled by the reaction of a Moose on the train tracks who decided to charge at the train when it sounded its whistle to clear the tracks. The Moose did not win that challenge.

After a few years Leslie and his mates decided to move to the city and relocated to Vancouver , British Columbia. Here the boys enjoyed some good old fashion British Pub style house parties complete with dart matches, music, singing and of course beer. You could always find Leslie behind a musical instrument whether it be the Bongo Drums, a keyboard, accordion, ukulele or Banjo Leslie could play them all by ear. He would be singing away with the boys and enjoying a pint of Pale Ale and Guinness.

It was in Vancouver that he met his first wife Ruth on a blind date, after a friend from work had orchestrated the meeting. Leslie and Ruth and her two children, remained in the Vancouver area and welcomed two more children into their family in the early 60’s. The family purchased their first home in White Rock , B.C in the late 60’s where Leslie would enjoy taking his wooden sailboat out on the water and building his camper.

Leslie worked various jobs until 1970 When he began working for Woodwards. Leslie loved trains and had ambitions of building his own model railway one day and was particularly thrilled when one of the store managers offered to give him one Model Train Engine for every three that he fixed when customers returned them.

Leslie and Ruth Separated in the early 70’s and he remained in White Rock until early 1974 when he met the love of his life Anna at a Woodwards Company Bonspiel . They both enjoyed the ocean and a love of sailing and purchased their own sailboat in 1975 which they moored out in Oak Harbour.

In 1980 Leslie and Anna moved the sailboat to Seaschelt, B.C. Where they had purchased a home together and started new jobs working for B.C. Ferries. The home was a partial build when they acquired it. The exterior was mostly complete but just wood framing greeted you as you entered the front door with a beautiful rock fireplace that went between the living room and the kitchen. Leslie enjoyed doing much of the finishing work himself. With the help of some family and friends they were able to create a beautiful Ocean View home. Leslie and Anna were Married in the summer of 1985 and very much enjoyed their life together in Seaschelt.

Leslie had a love of British sports cars and was particularly proud of his Austin Healy which he thoroughly enjoyed driving in the beautiful Seaschelt landscape during his leisure time.

While they both loved their home in Seaschelt, Leslie and Anna were missing their connection to Family and decided to relocate to Sydney, B.C. in the early 1990s. It was there that the couple were able to retire and enjoyed time with Family and Friends. In their retirement years Leslie and Anna also enjoyed going on camping trips in their Travel Aire Camper Van and would take their beloved cat Zeeb with them on their adventures.

In 2010 Leslie and Anna moved back to White Rock to be closer to family and friends on the mainland. They enjoyed the occasion of leisurely evenings at Anna’s daughters homes, enjoying a meal or just a beverage and watching the birds in the tranquility of the gardens.

Leslie is pre-deceased by his wife Anna and will be greatly missed my by his Family: Children, Son: Leslie (Debbie)Wright, Daughter: Ruth (Doug) Neufeldt Step Children (of Ruth): Jim Wright and Twila Bancoft, (of Anne): Marlene (Bill) Gurvich, Ken (Gail) Pohl, Elaine (Gary) Reitmayer, Alan Pohl and Graham Pohl. As well as many grandchildren and great grandchildren. Leslie is also survived by his Twin sister Eva Bishop as well as his Nieces and Nephews back in England.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.firstmemorialsurrey.com for the WRIGHT family.