Terry Leigh

Terry was born on August 31, 1947, in Preeceville, Saskatchewan, to Walter and Kathleen Leigh. He was raised on the family farm near Usherville alongside his sister, Helen Leigh (Christensen), where he developed a lifelong love of the outdoors. The family moved into Preeceville when Terry was 12, and he discovered another lifelong passion — hockey. What began as a teenage pastime became a love he carried with him for more than 50 years.

Terry attended the University of Saskatchewan, where he earned a degree in Chemical Engineering. He took his first engineering job at Co-Op refinery in Regina. It was in Regina that he met the love of his life, Irene Leigh (Oudot) on a blind date in the summer of 1971. They were married on May 27, 1972, beginning a partnership filled with love, laughter, friendship, and adventure that lasted 54 years.

In 1974 Terry accepted a position with Dow Chemical. Terry and Irene settled in Fort Saskatchewan, where they would raise their daughters, Nicole and Michelle. Fatherhood came easy to Terry as he channeled his energy and curious nature into adventures and games with his kids. Without family nearby, relationships with co-workers and neighbours became foundational for the entire family.

In 1993, Terry took a transfer with Dow and the family moved to Baton Rouge, Louisiana where both girls would graduate from high school. Then in 1998 he and Irene were transferred to Texas where he retired from Dow Chemical in 2002. He and Irene continued to live in Pearland and spend summers at Pigeon Lake (his favourite place) until moving back to Edmonton, Alberta permanently in 2021. Through all of these moves he and Irene fostered friendships with the most amazing people who helped create lasting memories every step of the way.

In retirement, Terry fed his passion for personal finance and investing, improved his golf game, traveled the world with friends, played and coached hockey, and cherished his new role as Grandpa. He treated his grandkids as new recruits for his adventures, saying “yes” to nearly anything and proudly inspiring another generation of active kids who love the outdoors.

Above all else, Terry valued family and friends. He was known for his huge smile, steady presence, intelligence, thoughtful advice, and genuine kindness. He had a way of making people feel welcome and cared for. His memory will live on in the countless lives he touched with his generosity, humor, and love.

He is survived by his wife Irene Leigh, his sister Helen Christensen (Bruce), children Nicole Weaver (Mark) and Michelle Lapierre (Greg), and grandchildren Alexis Weaver, Jacob Weaver, Nya Lapierre, Bryn Lapierre, and Hart Lapierre as well as his best friend Bill Page (Trish). He is predeceased by his parents Walter and Kathleen Leigh.

Terry’s family would like to express their gratitude to the caregivers at Exquisicare who saw the person behind his illness and treated him with dignity, care, and compassion.

Celebration of Life to be held at 2:00pm on Friday, June 5th 2026 at Hainstock’s Funeral Home in Edmonton, Alberta. His final resting place will be at the Indian Head Cemetery in Indian Head, Saskatchewan.

In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Terry can be made to Parkinson Association of Alberta or KidSport Edmonton.