T. Clarke McLeod

Peacefully, after a long and full life, Clarke passed away on June 30th, 2009 in Victoria, B.C.
Clarke was born on January 26th, 1915 in Neepawa, Manitoba to William Henry and Addie Eva (nee Clarke) McLeod.
He was predeceased by his beloved wife, Mary Alice (Mae) Mcleod (nee Overall) in November, 1986, his parents and two brothers, Russell and Chesleigh.
He leaves to remember him with love his children; Ted (Francie), Peggy Ingram,
Bob (Cindy) and Cathy M. Manley (Tom); his eight grandchildren, two step-grandchildren and two great-grand-children, whom he adored. He also stayed in touch with numerous nieces and nephews, cousins and in-laws.
As a young man in Winnipeg, Clarke became involved with the YMCA and worked as a counsellor at Camp Stephens.
In July 1939, he married Mae in Winnipeg, then, during WWII, worked in troop support services both in St. John’s, Nfld. and Toronto.
After the war, Clarke and Mae returned to Winnipeg, where they raised their family and Clarke moved into a sales position with Moore Business Forms. He remained with them until his retirement, and thereafter as a consultant on design work.
As an avid prairie gardener, Clarke was glad to move to Victoria in 1971, where he learned to fight the bugs for his peach crop and raise a wide variety of roses.
Clarke had a natural gift for music, which he could read without instruction. He sang harmony with ease and lent his voice to family sing-songs on many camping trips and in many church choirs over the years – most recently at St. David by the Sea.
He also played piano by ear and especially loved the swing standards of the forties.
Clarke was a child of the Depression, and, as a result, a life-time recycler and re-user, often taking gentle ribbing from his family for his zealous approach. He was also an inveterate tinkerer and fixer, who, besides passing on these skills, was able to apply his curiosity to the new technologies of computers and digital electronics.
He enjoyed travel with Mae to England, Hawaii and Arizona, as well as his own visits to cousins in California and a cruise of the Panama Canal after her death.
He was a sociable man with a positive outlook and a great sense of humour.
He was a wicked card-player – especially of cribbage, which he played (and won!) with great zest up until the day of his death, and loved his electronic Backgammon game.
Clarke was a gentle soul, with an easy smile, loved by all he met, whose credo was “As you give, so shall you receive.” He appreciated his life on the Saanich Peninsula in Cordova Bay. He always said he met half of Winnipeg there – and about the same number of new friends as well.
The family would like to thank staff at the Cridge Seniors Centre, Royal Jubilee Hospital 4 S, and Glenwarren Lodge, Dr. Philip Kelly and the family’s dear friend, Rev. Canon Andrew Gates for their love and support.

A Memorial service will be held Wednesday July 8 at 2:30 P.M. at St. David by the Sea, Victoria. In lieu of flowers, a donation to St. David by the Sea would be appreciated.