Leonardus Adrianus "Leo" Mesman

July 20, 1933 ­ June 18, 2006

But still the empty favorite reclining chair,
Reminds us of the face, the smile, of one who once sat there.
Your willing hands will toil no more,
A loving husband, father, brother, grandfather, kind and true,
No one on earth we'll find like you.

Leo was born in Koegras, Holland on July 20, 1933 to the late Martin and Maria (Loogman) Mesman. He had seven brothers and two sisters, Tiny (late Wim Wempe) of Holland, late Peter (late Mary) of Cornwall, Martin (Jill) of New Brunswick, Bill (Rejeanne) of St Andrews, Tom (Ardele) of Merrickville, Ben of Williamsburg, Robert (Marie) of Scarborough, Alida (Murray MacLachlan) of Manotick, and Fred (Roxanne) of New Brunswick.

In June of 1953 he immigrated to Canada and landed at Pier 21 in Halifax. Gertrude Kroon became his wife on April 23, 1960.

Together they had four children: Maria of Winchester, Ann (Maurice) Lavigne of Aylmer, Martin (Lara) of Winchester, and Neil (Dale) of Tavistock. They started out on a farm in Finch, then moved to a farm in Morewood, then to RR 2 Winchester and then retired to RR 1 Winchester.

He enjoyed spending time with and greatly enriched the lives of his eight grandchildren. He will be sadly missed by many nieces, nephews and cousins in Canada, the United States, Brazil, and Holland.

He never really retired from the farming life, since his home had a beautiful red barn filled with animals that he patiently enjoyed caring for. He cultured and kept a beautiful garden and flower beds and we all enjoyed the fruits of his labor. He enjoyed visits to the sale barn, farm shows, plowing matches, drinking port wine, good coffee and the soup/sandwich meals at Tim Hortons, marzipan pig at Christmas, and sharing smiles, conversation, and jokes with family and friends.

Family and friends paid their respects at the Winchester Funeral Home on Thurs., June 22, 2006. The funeral service was celebrated by Father Gillis on June 23 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Chesterville.
The pallbearers were sons Martin and Neil, grandsons Spencer and Andrew, son-in-law Maurice, and brothers Tom and Ben. Granddaughters Amanda Mesman, Caroline Lavigne and Julia, Shelley, Tammy, and Pamela Deeke placed the pall over the Emerson ash casket at the entrance of the church. Granddaughters Amanda, Tammy, and Pamela delivered the readings and psalms at the funeral mass. Father J. Gillis delivered a moving and memorable gospel and homily.

The interment followed at St Mary's Cemetery in Chesterville. Flowers were placed on the casket by grandchildren and the pallbearers. Words of remembrance were given by granddaughter Amanda and daughter Maria.

Donations were and can still be provided to St. Mary's Memorial Fund, St. Mary's Church, PO Box 730, Chesterville, K0C 1H0.

We love you Leo, Pop, Grandpa, and Opa and you will be in our hearts forever.