The Reverend Major (Ret) Leslie Thomas Barclay

Passed away peacefully in his sleep in his 86th year at Victoria General Hospital in the early morning hours of September 4, 2012. He will be greatly missed by his devoted and loving wife of 64 years, Mildred and by his children, Ian (Rebecca) and Christine (Michael) and by his four grandsons, Alex, Nick, Nathan and Aaron. He was born on a farm on a cold February day in Perth County, Ontario in 1926 and was put into the oven to be kept warm. He spent his early childhood in St. Marys, Ontario, but several years after the death of his father his mother moved back to England. He spent the War there and signed up underage to join the RAF. He met and married his wife, Mildred during the demobilization and they returned to Canada in 1948. He was originally planning to go into banking, but was chosen by the Lord to become a Presbyterian minister. He joined the RCAF in 1962 and served as a chaplain throughout Canada and in the Golan Heights with the Peace Keeping Forces. When his career in the Air Force was finished, he continued his ministry in the Northwest Territories. His last church was Knox Presbyterian in Sooke, from which he retired. He continued to provide pastoral care for St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, Victoria, until he suffered a major heart attack in 2000. From there his health continued to decline. His family would like to thank all those who helped us to take care of him over the past years, including Dr. Robin Saunders, Dr. Ted Rosenberg, Linda Nielsen, Beacon Community Services and all the staff and friends at the Camelot.

A Funeral Service will be held on Wednesday, September 12, 2012 at 1:30 pm, in MCCALL BROS. FLORAL CHAPEL, Johnson & Vancouver Streets, in Victoria. Interment to follow at HATLEY MEMORIAL GARDENS, 2050 Sooke Road. Flowers gratefully declined but donations can be made in his name to the Heart and Stroke Foundation. Condolences may be offered to the family at www.mccallbros.com.