Obituary of Allan Frederick Leech
On Friday January 27, 2023, Allan Frederick Leech of Halifax passed away suddenly at home. Born in Newboro Ontario, September 27, 1933 to Charles and Blanche (Blair) Leech.
Al was born a “Blue Baby”...it can be caused by either a heart defect that is present from birth or an acquired blood disorder, causes a tinge to the baby’s skin and must receive immediate medical attention because the blueness of the skin indicates that the baby’s tissues are not receiving enough oxygen. He had a very special blood type it seems, and was put on a donor list, in his late teens the police rushed Al from a dance he was attending, to the hospital to give blood, that saved a young boy's life.
Al grew up in the depression on a dairy farm in Newboro but this “holy terror” (as a kid) knew farm life was not for him. In his teens Al studied at Toronto Conservatory of Music (Piano, with Honours). He worked as an insurance adjuster early on, then as a head teller, eventually landing at Dupont Canada until he retired. His people skills were put to good use, working his way up the ladder to head of large Customer Service departments at various locations in Canada for Dupont. After retirement from Dupont he sold real estate, then formed his own company AFL Marketing Services, that lasted over 20 years.
The minute Al greeted you with that bear claw handshake (pre covid) and genuine smile, you knew this guy was special. Anne and Al were married in Lachine Quebec, May 9, 1964, his devotion to Anne “the Bride” as he would call her, was an inspiration to anyone trying to make a marriage work. His constant research to help diagnose and support Anne’s (decades long) health problems impressed everyone, especially the doctors they encountered in many parts of Canada and the United States, he should have been called Dr. Al. Al was a Cancer survivor, many years ago (blood related).
Al had a huge circle of friends, including the neighbors in his apartment building. A special group of friends in Halifax met for coffee almost every morning and this “Tim’s Team” kept a good eye on “the old man” as he called himself...when Al did not show up for coffee or send his daily email to friend Max (for two days in a row), they knew something was wrong. Two ladies from the Tim’s group along with Al’s friend Rudi (Super of his building) found him.
Anne and Al traveled a great deal, lived in Florida for many years during the winter and made another set of close friends there. Al liked playing piano, gardening, landscaping, keeping in touch with friends by phone and e-mail...sharing jokes and photos. He was super protective of his sister Dorothy, especially in her early years as a wife and mother.
A “Mentor” to many, on a wide variety of subjects (vitamins - healthy living tips, finances, human relations), also super organized, always a positive attitude on life, a quick wit, loved to give you a parting one-liner like... “LOOK AFTER NUMBER ONE, AND YOU KNOW WHO THAT IS!” We (the Clark family) really looked forward to Anne and Al’s visits each year to Dartmouth, when they lived away.
Special thanks to his family doctor, Dr. Wayne Macleod, and all their specialists, including the team of doctors who managed his latest serious toe infections.
Al is survived by sister, Dorothy Foster (Franklin), of Edmonton; sisters-in-law, Marjorie Stevens and Mable Stevens, both of Chester; and exceptional nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, Al was predeceased by his wife, Anne (McInnis) on December 5, 2019; and special sister-in-law, Helen McInnis on December 27, 2018 of Dartmouth/Chester.
Al has been cremated, no service at this time as per his request. Al and Anne’s ashes will be buried this spring or summer 2023, the same time Mel (Ted) Clark, his wife Dorothy (Dot) Clark will be buried, in the Clark Plot, Brookside Cemetery, Shubenacadie.
He will be deeply missed by many people.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Serenity Funeral Home, 34 Coldbrook Village Park Dr., Coldbrook, NS, B4R 1B9 (902-679-2822).
