Obituary of Alan Ledingham

To Watch Recording of Service click this link: 

https://video.ibm.com/embed/recorded/133026193

G. Alan Ledingham
September 15, 1938 – May 16, 2023

Alan Ledingham passed away in Regina General Hospital after a brief illness, just four months shy of his 85th birthday. 

Al was born in Ottawa, Ontario, where his father had a posting at the National Research Council. At age nine, the family came back west to open the Saskatoon branch of the NRC lab, and Al remained a Saskatonian for the rest of his life. Saskatchewan was home to a huge extended family as Al’s father, a Saskatchewan native, was one of eleven children, and Al often spoke gratefully of the community of Ledingham relatives (“young aunts and uncles”) he had in his youth. He attended Victoria School and on his first day, he got a real “Saskatchewan Welcome” and had to literally fight his way into the school due to his wearing “short pants”. He went on to City Park Collegiate where he excelled in academics and sports. He had a special passion for football, and he went on to play post-secondary football with both the Hilltops and the U of S Huskies. After a brief foray into Engineering, he realized his true calling of both teaching and coaching. He served 35 years at the Saskatoon Board of Education as both a teacher and administrator. He was known for his “no nonsense” approach to discipline (both in the classroom and on the football field). His daughter Donna recalls being told, “Wow, your dad is strict” by fellow students at Walter Murray. Needless to say, she didn’t have many dates. As a football coach, he enjoyed great successes, winning multiple championships with the Hilltops. He finished his career at the Board of Education as Superintendent of Facilities and Maintenance – combining both his education and engineering backgrounds. Retirement was filled with skiing, travel, friends, and “picking sh*t with the chickens”.

His life partner was a young RN named Rita McIntee, who persuaded him to leave his mother’s cooking at the ripe age of 27 (July 2, 1966). Daughter Donna arrived in 1971 and son Greg in 1974. Al and Rita spent many happy years together until cancer took Rita in 2008. His final years were brightened by his companion Donna Rawlake, as well as innumerable friends and relatives. His grandsons (Foster and Alec) were a particular source of pride and interest, particularly as the boundaries of his own life narrowed. 
 
Our family would like to thank Drs. Roussow and Bereti, as well as the staff of 6A at RGH, for their thorough and compassionate care at the end. Drs. Bigsby and Sami of Saskatoon are thanked for giving us four extra years with Dad. 

No flowers please. Donations in Al’s name gratefully directed to Help One (www.helpone.ca).

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, September 9th, 2023 at 10:30 a.m. at Main Hall, Gordie Howe Sports Centre (1525 Avenue p South, Saskatoon, SK.).

A short program will be followed by a buffet lunch and time for fellowship and remembrance.

Please consider sending a favorite photo of Al (via email below) to be included in the pictorial tribute.

If you are able to commit to in-person attendance (via ledinghamd@gmail.com), that will assist Al’s family in planning for capacity. For those who are unable to attend in person, we will have a virtual option. Kindly provide your email as above, and the link will be provided closer to the date.