January 10, 1930 – February 2, 2025
On February 2, 2025, Tom passed away peacefully with his family by his side at the age of 95.
Tom was predeceased by his parents Arthur and Mary Leaf, his sister Shirley and his loving wife of 55 years, Mabel, who passed away in 2011.
Tom is survived by his sons Glenn (Allison), Wayne (Karen), Bruce (Lyndy) and grandchildren Michelle and Ryan (Megan). He will also be missed by his relatives in England, extended family Leslie and Alec Lockington in Burlington, Ontario and many nieces and nephews.
Tom was born in Winnipeg on January 10, 1930 and attended Riverview and Lord Roberts School. He briefly lived in Dauphin, Manitoba and Hudson Bay Saskatchewan while in his teens and moved back to Winnipeg and graduated from Kelvin High School in 1947.
In his younger years Tom was actively involved in many sports such as boxing, football and track and field. Tom set a record at a high school track meet with a time of 10.6 seconds in the 100 yard dash leading his team to win the 100 yard relay at the provincial championships in Dauphin.
Tom was a sea cadet with The Winnipeg Royal Canadian Sea Cadet Corps and was also enlisted with The Department of National Defence Naval Service that helped with the evacuation of residents from their homes during the Red River flood of 1950.
On April 5, 1950 Tom began his career with the CP rail where he worked for 36 years, first as a machinist and was later promoted to supervisor of training. While working at CP, Tom attended night classes at the University of Winnipeg where he majored in History and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1973. On December 30, 1955, Tom married Mabel Dawson and they raised their three sons, Glenn, Wayne and Bruce in North Kildonan. Tom loved his family and was very proud and supportive of his children’s and grandchildren’s sporting activities and achievements.
Tom and Mabel loved to have parties at their North Kildonan home, where they and their friends would dance the night away to the sounds of Glenn Miller, Benny Goodman and other Big Band Swing artists, as well as crooners like Frank Sinatra and Bobby Darin, and even some disco. Tom was a walking encyclopedia of knowledge regarding the artists of that era, as well as the black and white classic movies of the day.
Tom was an avid sports fan and loved watching the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, Winnipeg Jets, Detroit Red Wings, Toronto Blue Jays and New York Yankees. Tom also took pride in coaching 6 man football at Weston CC and juvenile hockey at North Kildonan CC.
Tom enjoyed his Saturday visits with friends at The Curtis Hotel, where they were known as The Knights Of The Round Table. He was known to comment “it was incredible all the useless information that was gathered at these encounters”.
The family would like to thank the staff at River East Personal Care home, specifically Wayne, Paula, Edna, Marie, Donnabel, Jackie, Mary, Christina and Kristy for their care and compassion towards Tom.
In accordance with Tom’s wishes, cremation has taken place. A private celebration of life will be held at a later date.
