SZABO, Dr. Leslie
July 16, 1926 – August 16, 2017

With tears we saw you sinking, we watched you fade away, Our hearts were almost broken, we knew you could not stay. But when we saw you sleeping, so peacefully free from pain, We could not wish you back to suffer that again.

Sadly, the life of our husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather, came full-circle on Wednesday, Aug 16, 2017 at Arbour Creek Long Term Care, after a courageous battle with Lewy body dementia. Left to mourn are his wife, Hilda and daughters Jennifer Marcaccio, Deborah Gale and Cynthia Tormann (Wolf). Survived by grandchildren David and Elizabeth Marcaccio, Rebecca Bartolacci (Bob), Claudia, Meaghan and Aaron Gale, Alexandra and Rachel Tormann and step-grandson Felix Tormann. Survived by great-granddaughters Brooklyn and Blake Bartolacci. Survived by his sister, Betty Porter, of Toronto. Survived by sisters-in-law Shirley Erhardt of Kitchener, Ruth Erhardt of Laguna Hills, California. Remembered by relatives in Canada and the U.S. Devastated by the death of his son, Robert, in 2014. Pre-deceased by his brother, Andrew, and brothers-in-law Joseph and Dr. John Erhardt, Bill Porter and nephew Rob Porter. Leslie attended Guelph Consolidated and Collegiate, where he “proceeded to take the school by storm”, (their quote) as top student in his class every year, awarding him with a Province of Ontario University Scholarship and a tuition scholarship to the University of Western Ontario, where he earned both his Bachelor of Science and Doctor of Medicine degrees. While at Western he played both soccer and football. Leslie had a large Family practice and treated his patients with compassion and respect. He and Hilda always felt honored, being invited to their many special family celebrations. He retired after practicing from 1950 to 2001. He was appointed Province of Ontario Coroner, a position he held from 1976 to 1996, as well as being on staff at several Nursing / Retirement homes. His interests were in Social Services and classical music, having served as President of Hamilton Community Concerts and Sertoma Service Club. Although not a keen traveller, he enjoyed trips to the Bahamas, Cuba, the Grand Canyon, Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Switzerland and the Dominican Republic. His favorite pastimes, however, were short jaunts to Niagara-on-the-Lake and St. Jacob’s, where he scoured the antique shops. He was an avid collector of Royal Doulton figurines, particularly the rare and limited edition pieces. While still enjoying good health, he looked forward to weekly bridge sessions with dear friends Dr. Harry and Ruth Hotz and Joseph and Margaret Scime. Donations in his memory, to your favorite charity, would be appreciated by the family. Cremation has taken place, as he wished. Thank you to Dr. A. Hornich and the caring staff at Arbour Creek Long Term Care. Thank you Dr. J. Koole, his family physician. Thank you Drs. M. Achong, T. Corbett and M. Gagnon. Thank you to his many former patients, who telephoned or knocked at our front door, only to inquire about his well-being and to say how much they missed him. He would have been humbled. The family welcomes you at P.X. Dermody Funeral Home, 1919 King St. E., Hamilton on Monday August 21, 2017, between the hours of 2 and 4 and from 6 to 8. Flowers gratefully accepted.

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