Paul Edward Leyes

Paul Leyes, 86, passed away surrounded by his loving family on Sunday March 18th, at Guelph General Hospital.

Born Oct. 29, 1931, Paul Leyes was born the eldest of two children in Kitchener, Ontario. His mother Josephine was a loving housewife, his father was a Justice of the Peace for the Kitchener City Hall, and he had a younger brother named Brian, who was ten years his junior. Paul attended St. Jerome’s High School, and after graduation he initially worked in construction and later went on to become an assistant manager at Kresge’s department store for several years. He was eventually employed by Bell Telephone, which resulted in his relocation to Windsor, Ontario. One night, at a CYO (Catholic Youth Organization) dance, Paul met a lovely young woman by the name of Carol McLeod. The two began dating, and on June 14th 1958, at the age of 27, Paul married Carol, who was then 19, and together they raised four beautiful children. They initially lived in Royal Oak Michigan and then moved to Warren a few years later when the children began attending school. In 1968, Paul and his family moved to Georgetown, Ontario, Canada where they lived for the next four years until they eventually settled in Guelph in 1972.

The Leyes family had a happy, creative, and exciting household, and Paul was a sensitive and loving Dad and Grandfather who was always there with words of encouragement and support. Paul passed on his creativity to his children, who inherited his appreciation of nature, beauty, and the arts. Paul and Carol also hosted countless family dinners over the years and always made friends and relatives feel welcome in their home.

Paul was an excellent salesman; his flair for conversation and great sense of humour made him a natural in his profession, first working for Bostitch during the 1960’s and early 70’s, where he won several awards for top sales and client service. In the mid -70’s Paul went on to work as a sales representative for Gaslight Barbeques, Sheppard Casters, and eventually, the London Life Insurance Company, where he worked until his retirement in 1991 at the age of 61.

The Leyes family loved going to Kincardine in the summers, where they enjoyed many sunny afternoons on the shores of Lake Huron. Paul cherished memories of beautiful days spent swimming on the beach, having barbecues, and sharing songs and stories around the campfire. He and Carol also enjoyed taking his family on incredible ski vacations, camping and mountain climbing excursions in the Rockies, and wonderful trips to the Bahamas and especially Florida, where they spent several Christmas holidays on St. Pete’s Beach.

Paul was an extremely creative and talented man who had numerous interests and hobbies. His favourite past time was woodcarving, and over the years he created many heart warming characters, featuring cowboys, bagpipers, hobos and clowns - all lovingly admired by family and friends for their charm, detail, and outstanding craftsmanship. Paul thoroughly enjoyed his years as a member of the Guelph Carving Club, where he met wonderful friends, with whom he continued to stay in touch and socialize with over the years. He also had a great camaraderie with his friend and mentor Eldon Humphries, whose work he greatly respected. Paul competed frequently in woodcarving competitions and won many awards and first place ribbons for his excellent work.

As a member of the Barbershoppers, also known as the Royal City Ambassadors, Paul was an excellent singer and performed at numerous events and engagements in Guelph and the surrounding area. He also loved reading western novels and James Harriot books, watching Disney movies, and building model trains, wine making, stamp collecting, fly-fishing and gourmet cooking.

One of Paul’s most endearing talents was his ability to recite poetry; he had an amazing memory and would regale family and friends with beautiful renditions of his favourite poems, some of which were: “The Legend of Sam McGee” and “My Madonna” by Robert Service, and ��M’Sieur,” by Wilson McDonald. In fact, his fellow residents at Stone Lodge enjoyed Paul’s poems so much, they started a poetry club in his honour.

Paul lost his dear wife Carol just three months ago and is now survived by his four children and their families: his son Tim and wife Lisa of Toronto, and their children Madison, Darcy, and Holland; his daughter Theresa and her husband Eric of Guelph, and their son Dylan; his daughter Dianne and her partner Paulette of Russellville Arkansas; and his son David and wife Kristin of Oshawa, and their children Leo and Henry.

Paul will also be dearly missed by his brother Brian and wife Sammy of Oshawa, and their children Christian, Mike and Joshua.

The Leyes family would like to thank the staff of Stone Lodge Retirement residence for all the excellent care and loving attention they gave Paul over the past two years.

Paul’s family will receive friends for a celebration of life at the Gilbert MacIntyre and Son Funeral Home, Hart Chapel, 1099 Gordon St., Guelph on Monday, March 26, 2018 from 4:00 p.m. A service to commemorate Paul’s life will follow in the funeral home chapel at 5:00 p.m. A reception will be held in the Fellowship lounge following the service.