On February 8, 2012, Mr. Leo Howard Hagarty passed away peacefully at Royal Inland Hospital at the age of 84 years. Leo was born on April 6, 1927 in Wedgewood, Ontario.

Leo is survived by nieces, nephews, cousins and good friends.

He was predeceased by his mother, Sarah Hagarty, his father, William Hagarty, sisters; Margaret, Josie, Marie, Sandy, Julia, Florance, Elizabeth and lovely niece Jo-Anne Blackstock as well as his brothers; Ted, Tom, John and Edward.

Leo joined the Canadian Army in Toronto in the spring of 1943. He was sent to England where he trained for the "Battle of Normandy", France in 1944 with the "Queens own Riffles". He fought his way to Belgium and in 1945 the war was over.

He signed on to fight the Japanese alongside the Americans in the Far East. Because of this, he was among the first troops sent back to Canada from Belgium and was to report to the Southern States for training. However, the war with Japan was over when the Atomic bomb was dropped on them and the Canadian troops that had signed on, never made it to Japan.

In August of 1950 he went to Vancouver, BC and enlisted in The K Brigade (Korea Brigade) and was sent directly to Petawawa, Ontario for training. After a number of months in training he hemorrhaged in the upper lobe of the left lung. He was sent to Kingston Veterans Hospital and spent some weeks there recovering. Leo was then released with a honourable discharge. Leo then worked for many years in logging and mining in Northern Ontario. He came to BC in the late 1950's working in construction, courier service and as a taxi driver.

" God Bless and
So Long Old Friend"

Prayers will be recited at 7:00 p.m., on Wednesday, February 15, 2012 at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish, 635 Tranquille Road. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated in the Church at 11:00 a.m., on Thursday, February 16, 2012 with the Reverend Father Peter Nguyen officiating. Interment will follow at Hillside Cemetery.

Arrangements entrusted to Schoening Cremation Centre, 177 Tranquille Rd., Tel: 250-554-2429.