Louis Lessie
Born In: Armed Forces Americas, United States
Passed in: Armed Forces Americas, Canada
Passed on: October 2nd, 2009
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of my father, father-in-law, brother, brother-in-law, uncle and friend, Louie Lessie at the Harbour View Hospital, Veterans Wing, Sydney Mines, on Friday, Oct. 2, 2009, after a short illness with cancer, with his son Jack and daughter-in-law Debbie by his side.
Formerly of 34 Thomas St., Sydney, Dad spent his last nine months at Harbourview Hospital, where they became part of his extended family and was treated with great respect, kindness and compassion by all who knew him.
Born in Pennsylvania, he was the son of the late Leonardo and Carmella (Esposito) Lessi.
At the age of two years Louie or ‘Gee’ as most would call him later in life, was brought to Birch Grove with the rest of his siblings and then later he would call Sydney his permanent home.
Louie served in the Canadian Armed Forces during the Second World War between the years of 1943 and 1946. Upon leaving the army he was employed first at the naval base in Point Edward and then later was employed with Sydney Steel in the machine shop where he retired after 28 years of service.
A quiet man by nature, Louie enjoyed visiting with family and friends and catching up on the everyday events in their lives. He was not someone who chatted a lot but he was an attentive listener and enjoyed when one would carry on or joke in his presence.
Louie had a talent for working with wood which shone through in his younger years when he and his brother Dominic would build many a thing. His passion for cars was also a great interest to him, one could find him browsing the car lots and checking out the new arrivals. Louie enjoyed bowling as well as sitting quietly with his guitar.
Louie is survived by his son, John ‘Jack’ and daughter-in-law, Debbie, Sydney; sister, Patricia MacNeil, Reserve Mines; sister-in-law, Margaret Globe, Sydney; and many nieces and nephews.
Besides his parents, Louie was predeceased by his loving wife, Viola (Weatherbee), brothers, Dominic ‘Tony’, Frank, sister, Virginia in childhood, sisters-in-law, Dorothy Lessi, Alice Marks, Hazel Hartry, Emma Steele and brothers-in-law, John MacNeil, Walter Marks, Walter Steele and William ‘Bill’ Hartry.
Visitation for Louie will take place Sunday, Oct. 4, 2009, at the S.W. Chant & Son Funeral Home, 564 Alexandra St., Sydney, from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Funeral service will be held 11 a.m., Monday, Oct. 5, 2009, in the chapel with Pastor Sheldon Chant officiating.
Reception to follow the service. Burial will take place in Forest Haven Memorial Gardens.
Memorial donations may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society, the Heart and Stroke Foundation or a charity of choice.
Online condolences may be sent to our webpage at www.chantfuneralhome.com.
