WILSON, Leslie Wilson, MWO (Ret’d), MMM, CD
Les, age 58, passed away peacefully on Friday, August 25, 2023, after a 3-year long battle with cancer. He was surrounded by his Wife and family in the Aberdeen Hospital. Les is survived by his loving wife Cathy (Locke) Wilson of Durham NS, and his two sons Keegan Wilson of Edmonton AB, and Justyn (Alicia Bouchard) Wilson of Bonnyville AB,
Les grew up as a military “brat” and then joined the Canadian Armed Forces at the age of 24. In Early 1991 Les met Cathy (they had attended the same high school) and they married in 1993. Both military members themselves they were stationed to CFB Borden ON, CFB Edmonton Garrison, 4 Wing Cold Lake, Edmonton Garrison and back to Cold Lake. After a brief exit from the CAF, Les rejoined and was then stationed to Cold Lake, Ottawa and then Halifax where he was medically released in February 2023 as a Master Warrant Officer, with 29 years of service and a Member of Military Merit (MMM). Les was deployed to Bosnia twice, Camp Mirage, and Afghanistan serving the country he loved.
Les was a huge Toronto Maple Leaf’s Fan from youth, and his love for hockey carried on as he played minor hockey, both competitive and recreational and then in the military and in the civilian sector as well until the season ended early in 2020 due to Covid. There was always a need for a goalie and there were many weeks during hockey season he would be on the ice at least 5 days a week. Not only did he play himself, but he coached both his boys in Minor Hockey from Novice to Bantam. Hockey is a huge part of the Wilson Family legacy. Volunteering was also huge on Les’s things to do with being on Minor Hockey boards in Edmonton, Cold Lake, and Hockey Alberta. He took coach courses as often as he could to make sure he gave those players the coach they deserved.
Les was a strong, loving, funny, caring, husband, father, son, brother, nephew, cousin, friend, brother in arms and a service-before-self kind of man. His family was his world. Les liked to double down on dates and his death was no exception. He passed on the 18th Anniversary of his fathers’ death.
Les was cremated. He didn’t want a big fuss made. He just wants a beer call. The Celebration of Life (beer call) will be held in the summer of 2024. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Canadian Cancer Society, or Soldier On.