William Leslie (Les) Single

Born in Montreal, Les was the son of the late William Alfred and Rebecca (McAlpine) Single. For many years, Les was best known as a leader in business development in Nova Scotia and beyond. But the story began in the Montreal neighbourhood of Verdun, where he fell in love with music. He started by managing his high school band, then learned to play the saxophone, clarinet and flute. Les wasn’t one to “blow his own horn,” but he did work his way through university by playing his sax!

During Les’s years at Dalhousie and Nova Scotia Tech, the Les Single Orchestra kept audiences dancing with its big band sound. It was the much-beloved house band at the Shore Club in Hubbards and the Hotel Nova Scotian.

Les had come to Nova Scotia for school, but ended up staying. He felt “destined to be a Maritimer.” After graduating with a B.Sc. and a degree in civil engineering (P. Eng.), Les became a project engineer and, soon, a partner in the architectural and engineering firm of Duffus, Romans, Single and Kundzins in Halifax. His work included project management for the design and construction of the Izaak Walton Killam Hospital.

Les broadened his scope by joining Acres, a Montreal-based engineering firm, as Vice President. He developed and managed their projects throughout Atlantic Canada. Always community minded, Les had by now begun to serve on corporate and association boards. He was one of a group who started Northwood to provide housing for seniors.

In 1972, Les was appointed Deputy Minister of Nova Scotia’s newly established Department of Development, and then, six years later, President of Industrial Estates Limited (IEL), a Crown corporation that promoted and financed secondary industry in Nova Scotia. Les scouted new industry and was instrumental in bringing Volvo and Michelin, among others, to the province.

In 1987, Les returned to the private sector. He purchased Crossley Karastan, a carpet mill that was one of the largest employers in the town of Truro. Although risky, this decision turned out to be one of his best. Under Les’s vision and direction, the mill expanded its markets internationally and was called “the Cadillac of carpets.”

After retiring from Crossley, Les served on the boards of Halterm, the Nova Scotia Community College and others. He and his wife, Jean, divided their time between Halifax, Jean’s family home in Ingonish, and, for many years, Palm Desert, California. They also travelled widely, making friends near and far.

Les was outgoing, witty and kind. Up to the end of his life, people often came to him for advice on financial and other life matters. And his outlook was positive. When Les had to stop golfing in his 80s, due to a bad knee, he said, “I got to enjoy it for years. Now I’ll enjoy watching others.” Les had golfed on courses from St. Andrews to Pebble Beach. He was also a technology buff and a gourmet cook.

Les is predeceased by his daughter Carolyn, sister Margaret (Lucien) Duval, and brother Gordon (Pat), mother and father-in-law Mary and Allister MacLeod, brother-in-law Gordon MacLeod, and sister-in-law Lorraine MacLeod.

Les is survived by his loving wife of 45 years, Jean (MacLeod), his children Leslie, Janet and Robert, son in law Dale Jackson, grandson Craig Jackson and great grandson Elliot Jackson, nephews Gordon “Dr. Gordie” (Karen) Single and Steven (Beth) Single, special niece Diane (Yves) Legault, brother-in-law Allister MacLeod, sister-in- law Rhodena MacLeod, aunt Evelyn MacLeod, nephew Ian (Paula) MacLeod, niece Mary (Paul) Bailey, nephew David (Morgan) MacLeod, special niece Shauna MacLeod, and several grand nieces and nephews.

The family is grateful to Dr. Luke Harnish and the staff at the Buchanan Memorial Hospital in Neil’s Harbour, for their care in the final hours of Les’s life. We also thank Les’s family doctor, Dr. Robert Scovil, for many decades of exceptional care. Les was also blessed with immense love and support from his devoted son, Robert.

A celebration of life will be held in the spring at the JA Snow Funeral Home, Halifax. In Les’s memory, we encourage everyone to perform a random act of kindness. Les was a true gentleman, whose passing leaves a hole in our hearts that can never be filled.

As one of Les and Jean’s good neighbours in their apartment complex put it: “He was a grand man.”