Leonel Joseph Ernest Parent

It is with great sadness that the family announces that after a long and courageous battle with a rare T-Cell Leukemia/Lymphoma, Leonel Parent passed quietly on the evening of Thursday, June 9 2022 with his loving wife and son by his side. The illness never dampened his spirit, or his love of family and nature.

Our family was able to spend valuable time with husband, dad, grandfather and brother for a period before he passed. Dad made a big difference in many people’s lives. The memories shared over his final days, and those since, have given family time to grieve, smile and all out belly laugh. Leonel will be dearly missed, with deep faith that there will be lots of farming, mining, fishing, truck driving, berry picking, building cabins and dog parties awaiting him up in heaven.

The late Leonel Parent is survived by his wife, Beverly Anne; his son Jason Joseph (Christa) and his beloved grandchildren, Kalen Joseph, Jevon Bernard and Taryn Lucia. Dad is also survived by four (4) sisters: Laurette (+Omer) Bourassa, Elise (+Jack) Mitchell, Eyvette (Dennis Landon) Parent and Annette (Paul) Matte; two (2) brothers: Rene Parent and Marcel Parent. His godson, Michael Cheeseman Parent, and many nieces and nephews, and cousins.

Leonel was predeceased by his parents, Joseph M. Parent (+1988) and Lea T. Parent (+1993), sisters, Marguerite Cummins (Parent) (+2008), Oriol Belgard (+2018); brothers, Harvey (+1948), Joseph Charles (+2019), Archill (Archie) (+2021) and his god child, Michael James Matte (+2011).

Leonel loved the land and people. Dad was born in Spiritwood, Saskatchewan in 1947, helping his parents on the farm until at the age of fifteen (15) he left to make his own living. Making his way west, dad worked on farms in Alberta, then off to British Columbia driving logging truck. Leonel then tried his hand in mining, working in different mines, finally ending up in Thompson, Manitoba, where he had a special liking.

It was in Thompson that Leonel was introduced to a Saskatchewan girl, Beverly, by her cousin Gerald Cummins. Their relationship progressed quickly, and they were married August 05 1972. Leonel and Beverly were just short of their 50th wedding anniversary at the time of Leonel’s passing. Leonel’s son Jason Joseph was born in 1973, and wanting to raise a family close to home, Leonel and Beverly packed up and settled in Allan, Saskatchewan. The Allan Potash Mine provided a stable workplace, with family close by. Leonel worked at the mine for the next thirteen (13) years. Following, dad worked as a grain farmer and drove long-haul truck in Canada and United States in the winter months.

Leonel loved keeping garden and had a green thumb which showed as the plants grew. He loved nature, and had a real passion for spending time outdoors picking blueberries. Dad loved animals, particularly dogs, bonding tightly with many generations of pets, and regularly conducting safety meetings with them. Dad loved cooking, which came naturally to him. Dad was a 3rd degree member of the Knights of Columbus. He would help in the kitchen for after Sunday Service at the pancake breakfast, often supplying handpicked blueberries for topping.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Aloysius Roman Catholic Church in Allan, Saskatchewan on Friday, July 8, 2022 at 10:30 am with Celebrant Fr. Andrew Wychucki. Rite of Committal to follow in the St. Aloysius Parish Cemetery. A gathering in the Parkland Hall following the service.

In lieu of flowers, consider a donation in Leonel’s memory to the Saskatchewan Cancer Agency (200-4545 Parliament Avenue Regina, SK). Arrangements entrusted to David Polzen.