Obituary of Allan Leyland

To Watch Recording of Service click this link: https://video.ibm.com/embed/recorded/131951166

Allan Leyland, 88, passed away peacefully Monday, June 28, 2021 at Royal University Hospital, Saskatoon.

Allan leaves five children:  daughter Pamela Leyland and husband Tom Yanko of Saskatoon, grandchildren Robyn, Kelly (Greg Woloshyn), Alexander, Emma and William, great-grandchildren Bradley and Brooklyn; son Steven Leyland and wife Jennifer Bown of Edmonton, grandchildren Sophia and Samuel; daughter Maureen Lintott and husband Jeff Lintott of Pitt Meadows B.C., grandchildren Ryan, Justin and Dean; daughter Diane Leyland and husband Jeff Standage of Montreal and Stanstead, Quebec;  son David Leyland and wife Tracey Leyland of Calgary, grandchildren Eric, Kate and Jane.  And many much-loved family dogs.

Allan was an adventurer. He was born May 30, 1933 in Padiham, Lancashire, England, the beloved only child of Elizabeth (McCorran) and Joseph Leyland.  He loved football, Blackpool, riding his bicycle and motorbike.  Allan was a member of The Royal Engineers from 1953-1955, and was very proud that he could order bacon and eggs in German.  In 1967, Allan moved his young family to Canada from England for the first time.  Allan worked as a scientific instrument maker at the Chemical Engineering Department, University of Saskatchewan. Other opportunities to work and travel took Allan and family to Cochenour, Ontario, Accrington and Cleveleys, England, and Merritt, BC, before returning to Saskatoon to work in the Thorvaldson Building on campus. Family camping and canoe trips were an important part of many summers.

Allan loved Maple Street, living there for 46 years.  His cats, Puska and Moesha, were wonderful companions. Travelling to visit children and grandchildren across Canada brought Allan much joy.  There was a very special trip to Russia in 2000, as well as holidays to England to visit family and friends, especially cousins Sheila Keers and Brian Newell.  Allan loved all sports, particularly his original hometown team:  Burnley Football Club of the Premier League.  He remained a Lancashire Lad at heart.  Allan loved music.  At the age of 40, he learnt to play the French horn, playing with the Saskatoon Concert Band.  He loved singing, performing with the Saskatoon Opera Society, and was proud to sing for The Queen, when Queen Elizabeth II and The Duke of Edinburgh visited St. John’s Anglican Cathedral in 1987.  Allan’s voice was always the loudest when it was time to sing Happy Birthday or O Canada.  Allan loved talking, laughing, travelling, golfing and eating with his friends.  Thank you to Claudia Kuhlen, Aimée Nulle, Dan and Barbara Danaher, Chuck and Shirley Linden, Elmer Rempel and Ron Weibe, members of the Wildwood golf foursome, and Suzanne McQuinn.  All played an important role in Allan’s life.

Allan was diagnosed with vascular dementia in 2016.  Fiercely independent, he lived in his own home until January, 2020.

The Funeral Service will be celebrated by the Venerable Daniel Hughes on Tuesday, July 19, 2022 at 3:00 p.m. at All Saints Anglican Church (1801 Lorne Ave.)

Followed by a reception in the church hall. The Service will be livestream and can be accessed by the link at the top of this page.

Followed by a family reunion at Emma Lake.  Allan loved sitting on the deck.