Edward Clarence Leask

Ed passed away peacefully on the morning of January 16 at Royal Columbian Hospital. He was predeceased by his loving wife Dayle of 66 years; parents John and Sarah; sisters Elizabeth, Phyllis and Irene; and brothers Chester, Alvin, Clayton and Raymond. He is survived by his sons Dennis (Lynda) and Lance (Fran); grandsons David, Daniel, and John; granddaughter Nat; sister Helen; nieces, nephews, and also many more family members and friends.

Ed grew up in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, and he left home at a young age to join the army. Ed is a WWII Veteran. He joined the Regina Rifle Regiment in 1941. At the age of 17, he was deployed overseas in service to Canada. On June 6, 1944 fighting for the Liberation of France, he was one of the allied forces that landed on Juno Beach, Normandy. He was in the Signal Corps running messages across the battlefields on his motorcycle.

A few years after the war he moved to Vancouver, met the love of his life Dayle, married in 1948 and raised two sons, Dennis and Lance. Ed joined the

Vancouver Police Department in 1951. He received several commendations for his consistent, outstanding performances in his career of 28 years, in traffic and on patrol. His fellow officers with respect often called Ed “Thumper.” He was a big man with an even bigger heart. He made lifelong friends with the men and women of the department whom he remained in contact with.

Ed is a past president of Army Navy and Airforce Veterans Unit #298, which he always held dear to his heart.

On January 22, 2015 at the age of 90, he was honoured by Retired Police Chief Jim Chu, Vancouver Police Department members, family and friends in a very special ceremony with the Consul General of France. Ed, a Canadian Hero, was honoured and awarded France’s Legion of Honour by Jean-Christophe Floury, Consul General of France. “The French people will never forget.” This award is the highest honour given by France and is the equivalent to The Order Of Canada. Ed’s family is truly proud.

He lived a life of service, for his country, his community as a member of The Vancouver Police Department, loving his family unconditionally and trying to be a friend to everyone he met.

His last few years of life were spent at George Derby Centre for Veterans, where he continued to embrace life, in the art room, visiting everyone, but mostly he loved chatting with good friends and family over a cup of coffee. The family wants to acknowledge all of Ed’s special friends and thank them for “being there.” A special “thank you” to all the wonderful staff at George Derby Centre for all their kindness and care making dad's days there happy ones.

Please join us in A Celebration of Ed’s Life on Friday February 5 at 2:00 p.m. at Ocean View Chapel, 4000 Imperial Street, Burnaby, B.C.

In lieu of flowers, donations to The Vancouver Police Foundation ( www.vancouverpolicefoundation.org ) or charity of your choice are appreciated.