Charles George Leibel

We celebrate the life of Charles George Leibel, a loving husband, father, grandfather and friend. Charlie passed away peacefully at the Pasqua hospital on Sunday, December 23rd. He is predeceased by his parents, Charles ( Senior ) and Molly ( Kirsch ) Leibel, brothers Patrick and Gerald and daughter-in-law, Gail. He is survived by his wife of 65 years Loretta ( Fisher ), brother Douglas and sister Shirley Mulvena, children Katherine ( Rejean Dorval ), Patrick ( Laura Williams ), Jane ( Peter Williams ), James ( Lisa Ciz ) and six grandchildren : Drew, Emily, Emmett, Katie and Annie Leibel and Marie- Eve Dorval. Charlie was born in Regina in 1931 and loved to tell tales of the hardships he endured growing up during the Depression, such as when he had to carry water to his home in sub-zero temperatures while fending off wolves! He attended Campion High school, and after a brief stint of playing defensive tackle for the Saskatchewan Roughriders, he worked for his father's printing business, Business Printers, located in the Northern Crown Building on Scarth Street. After the death of his father in 1968, Charlie took over as the owner/manager of the company, and moved the business to 8th avenue. Upon retirement, he left the business in the hands of his two sons.

As a young man, Charlie began organizing minor football in Regina with his father. They were the driving force behind a team of dedicated volunteers, parents, media and Regina businessmen that established the Queen City Minor Football Club. Leibel Field was the home of this new league located near the spot where the powerhouse now sits. From its humble beginning of four teams, Regina Minor Football now has over 1800 players enrolled in its programs. Charlie also indulged his love of football by becoming a referee, first for high school, junior football and then for the CFL. In 2003, Charlie was inducted into the Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame. He derived so much pleasure from being part of the game he loved so well. Charlie and Loretta suffered from "wanderlust" , and loved traveling, first with their children, and then later as a couple. Many happy family memories were created on the road to referee CFL games and during family holidays to California, New York, Dominican Republic, Europe, and trips to see operas in Minneapolis. For him, getting together with family and friends was the purpose of summer holidays, be it at Manitou Beach with the cousins or Gull Lake with the Buffies. Charlie was a devout man who valued his strong ties to the Roman Catholic Church, not least through his long association with the Knights of Columbus.

The family would like to extend heartfelt thanks to the staff at the Shalom Nursing Home in Cupar for the outstanding care and friendship they gave dad in the last two years of his life and thanks to the doctors and nurses at the Pasqua Hospital for the kindness and compassion given to our father in his final days.

As per his wishes, cremation has taken place. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on January 2nd at St Anne's Catholic Church, 10:00 am, 1701 Cowan Crescent. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Campion College, University of Regina.

Interment of ashes will take place at a later date.

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