Leslie Edgeworth

Leslie (Les) Edgeworth passed away peacefully in his 100th year at the Delta Hospital after a brief bout with pneumonia. He was the last survivor of six children of parents, James & Margaret (Gillespie), who immigrated to Canada from Belfast, Northern Ireland in the early 1920’s. He is survived by his four children Allan (Deborah), Janis, Randy (Karen) and Steve; nine grandchildren and sixteen great grandchildren. He was predeceased by his loving wife Eleanor, married for 71 years; his five siblings Sadie, Gladys, Bill, Stan, and Kathleen; two sisters-in-laws, June and Beverley; and grandson, Kenneth.

Les was the Patriarch of the Edgeworth family and the first Edgeworth to graduate from university in 1949 with a degree in Civil Engineering from the University of British Columbia (UBC). In order to pay for his education, Les worked as a Vancouver Sun carrier and subsequently delivery manager, and at nights, worked in a local ice plant. After graduation, he married Eleanor, the love of his life and childhood sweetheart. The two had attended John Oliver High School together. They had planned to marry in early May 1949 after his university graduation, but his mother told him “marry in May and rue the day”, so they were married on April 30, 1949.

Les had a distinguished engineering career with the Federal Government Department of Fisheries where he was Chief Engineer and then Chief of the Resource Development Branch responsible for biological and engineering programs for the Department of Fisheries Pacific Region. In 1971, he moved to Ottawa as Assistant Deputy Minister Water Management Services for the Department of Environment responsible for Federal programs for improving quality management and use of inland and marine water resources. In 1974, he was promoted to Assistant Deputy Minister Environmental Protection Services responsible for the development and enforcement of National Environmental Protection regulation and codes as well as the development and improvement of Federal environmental legislation. At that time, he reported to Federal Liberal Environment Minister Jack Davis.

In 1978, he moved back to British Columbia as Executive Director for the newly created Salmonid Enhancement Program for the Department of Fisheries and Oceans. He was responsible for planning the overall program, developing the staff secretariat and directing the design and construction of various fish facilities including fishways, spawning channels, hatcheries and aquatic culture projects. He retired from the Federal Government in 1980 and established a consulting business focusing on fisheries and related work. He consulted on projects worldwide including: the Salto Grande Project on the Uruguay River in Argentina; the Canadian Pearse Royal Commission reviewing Canadian fisheries management policies; was a member of the Mekong Committee secretariat for the United Nations assessing water and related resources of the Mekong Basin in Laos, Viet Nam, Cambodia and Thailand; and lastly was Commissioner for the Quinsam Coal Public Inquiry of the proposed Quinsam Coal development for the Ministry of Environment in British Columbia.

Les was always a devoted husband, father, Grandpa and Great (Big) Grandpa to his grandchildren and great grandchildren. In a few words, Les always showed empathy, kindness, patience, humility and understanding. As the family Patriarch, he taught his family the values of honesty, integrity, generosity and the importance of hard work and perseverance.

Les and Eleanor loved their summer cottage at Point Roberts which remains a family meeting place for family and friends. As an engineer, Les was accomplished not only in building and maintaining the waterfront cottage, but also in carpentry, plumbing, electrical wiring, water piping, and the sewage disposal system. A herculean effort was building a steel reinforced retaining wall at the front of the cottage to protect against destructive winter storms from the Salish Sea.

In the late 2010’s, Les established a Bursary for UBC Civil Engineering students to help with their tuition. He was also recognized by the UBC Faculty of Applied Science, receiving their highest honor as recipient of the Dean’s Medal of Distinction for outstanding contributions to Applied Science.

Les and Eleanor spent their final years at the Wexford Senior Centre in Tsawwassen, after selling their family home. They and family appreciated the excellent staff and many residents who became their friends. The kind staff of Heart to Heart Home Care Services also provided Les with assistance during the last year of his life. Les and Eleanor’s final resting place will be at the Grand Mausoleum and Ocean View Cemetery in Burnaby. In accordance with Les’ wishes, there will be no funeral service.