Leslie Gail Southwick

An environmental engineer by trade, Les felt most alive on the lake. When his kids were young — he had three: Graham, Reid and Caitlin — he’d pile them into his old Jeep Wrangler, which never had a roof in the summer, and they’d head out on the road, hauling a small boat loaded with camping gear, while the tape deck blared a cover of Radar Love by the obscure German rock band Oh Well.

Those were the summers of bug bites and sunburns. Roadside beef jerky and horror novels. Fresh trout and sugary cereal. Campfires and mischief.

Born and raised in Vancouver, Les bounced around B.C. and Alberta for work. He was many things, but he wasn’t quiet. He had a loud, baritone voice, a billowing laugh and a piercing whistle, his signature cue to his children - and his beloved dog Rags - to drop what they were doing and head his way.

Les was a man full of contradictions. He had astonishing patience for teaching and practising the art of fly fishing. An art form that can be infuriating, with hooks snagging on reeds and winds turning lines into rats’ nests. Les might have bristled on the boat. But he was often calm, even gentle. And yet, he also taught his children, perhaps unwisely, the definition of unbridled road rage.

He was a complicated man. In his finer moments, he was fun. When his children were younger, he’d bounce their heads off of his Santa-like beer belly. He farted and blamed bears in the woods. When they were older, let’s just say he’d share his love to party.

In grief, we find comfort in those memories. Les is survived by his children, Graham Southwick, Reid Southwick and Caitlin Pollard (nee Southwick), sister Doreen Hembree (nee Southwick) and niece Kori Kucher (nee Hembree).

He was predeceased by his parents, James Southwick and Clara Southwick (nee Mjoen).

Les’s family will have a celebration of life this summer at Lac Le Jeune, B.C., a favourite spot to camp and fish.