For Posterity's Sake         

A Royal Canadian Navy Historical Project

In memory of those who have Crossed the Bar 

BOOKBINDER, Leonard - On August 17, 2019, Len passed away peacefully, at the age of 93, at the Grace Hospital, Winnipeg, Manitoba. Len was born in Selkirk, Manitoba and moved to Winnipeg to attend school at Daniel McIntyre. In 1943, at the age of 17, he left school to join the Royal Canadian Navy. He trained as a Telegraphist at HMCS St. Hyacinthe and Carleton and served on the minesweeper HMCS New Liskeard. After discharge in November 1945, he attended United College and University of Manitoba in Winnipeg where he received a Bachelor Degree in Civil Engineering in 1951. While at U of M, he played football with the Bisons. In 1950, he married Shirley Low who offered him love and support. Upon graduation, they moved to the USA where he earned his Professional Engineer designation. In 1957, they returned to Winnipeg where Len joined Number 10 Architectural Group. In 1974, they moved to Zambia to complete construction on the Zambian Institute of Technology. Subsequently, in 1978, they moved to Botswana with the Canadian International Development Agency to oversee construction of the University Botswana/Swaziland. Upon his retirement in 1992, they returned to Winnipeg. He is survived by Shirley, six children (Bruce, David, Susan, Jeffrey, Rory and Sara) and their spouses/partners (Sandy, Lesley, Mark and Magda), eight grandchildren and one great-grandchild. He was predeceased by his parents, Samuel and Sara and his sisters, Frances and Elsie. He was very grateful to the Canadian Government who helped him complete his education through the Veterans Affairs Education Assistance Program. He enjoyed travelling, golfing and living life to the fullest with Shirley and the kids. He always remembered the happy times he spent with family and friends. Many thanks to the staff at Grace Hospital for their kindness and support. Celebration of Life will be held at Neil Bardal Funeral Centre, 3030 Notre Dame, Winnipeg on September 24, 2019 at 2:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers please make donations to Grace Hospital Foundation at www.gracehospitalfoundation.ca