Obituary of Douglas Herbert Leigh

April 15, 1924 – April 20, 2019

Doug was born on April 15th, 1924.  He took most of his schooling at Badger School but finished his last two years in Plunkett.  He was part of the greatest generation and as soon as he was able volunteered for service in the Royal Canadian Air Force. He served in Canada, England and Holland.  Doug wanted to be in the motorcycle corp delivering messages to the front lines, however, he was underage and he needed his mother’s approval, she preferred he join the Air Force.  Doug volunteered for the Pacific Theatre when the war ended in Europe but it was over before his transfer came through so all he got was a series of very painful shots.  

Doug returned home to Plunkett to help his father on the family farm.  He was an enthusiastic ball player and also volunteered to umpire women’s games.  He was umpiring when he met a young woman who told him quite bluntly that he didn’t know the difference between a ball and a strike.  He decided the only way to solve the argument was to marry her, so he did.  

Doug and Clara spent 51 years together.  They raised, loved, guided and educated 4 daughters – Shirley, Linda, Janet and Theresa.  For Doug, his girls and his extended family were always the centre of his life.  After he bought his own farm, he still always helped with his father’s land.  When times were tough he started a trucking business to supplement his farm income and in 1962 became Postmaster in Plunkett.  
Tragedy struck in 1963.  Doug and Clara lost everything they owned in a house fire, Doug drove school bus and worked road construction to keep the family fed and housed and to help pay for the post secondary educations for all four of his daughters.

You might have thought that with all the challenges and obstacles Doug faced over the years he would have been bitter or angry but he was, in fact, the exact opposite.  Wonderful days were spent with his extended family watching the World Series, playing cards or enjoying loud, laughter filled family meals and he always shared his home and his heart with well loved pets.  Doug’s many friends knew him as a man they could rely on, who was always there to lend a hand or help solve a problem.  Doug also knew how to have as good time, plan a great party, entertain the community with plays and skits, curl a good game, plan a parade, or join you in the middle of a winter night to go for the square dancing “Idiot Badge” ( his father said he deserved it, too!).

Doug is survived by his four daughters and their husbands, 4 grandchildren and one great-grand child, his sister Joan and her husband Ray as well as many nieces and nephews. He was pre-deceased by his wife Clara and brother Bill.
His family wishes to thank the staff at Warm and Cozy Private Care Home and at St. Paul’s Hospital for the wonderful care that Doug received throughout his final weeks and days.  In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Doug can be made to the Alzheimer's Society or St. Paul's Hospital Foundation.

A celebration of Doug's life will be held at 1:00 pm on Sunday, April 28th at Saskatoon Funeral Home (338 4th Avenue North).