Donald Francis DeLeskie
Passed on: June 1st, 2008
Sydney We, the family, are saddened to announce the death of Donald Francis DeLeskie, 62, at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital on Sunday, June 1, 2008, after a lengthy illness. Born in Sydney, he was a twin son of the late James and Anne (Harper) DeLeskie. He is survived by his wife, Elsie (Bland); son and namesake, Donald (Linda), Sydney; and two stepsons, Eddie and Michael, Toronto. He is also survived by two sisters, Jane (Dave) Jessome, Florence, C.B., Sheila (Bill) Windsor, Sydney; by brother, Bill (Betty) DeLeskie, Sydney; and many nieces and nephews. Besides his parents, he was predeceased by stepmother, Maisie, his brothers, Ron, his twin, Jim and two infant twins and nephew, Billy DeLeskie Jr.. A well known and outspoken activist for the remediation and clean up of the tar ponds and coke ovens site, he will be remembered for all his efforts concerning such and especially when he brought national and worldwide attention to this environmental disaster and its detrimental effects by wading into the tar ponds with bucket and shovel to embarrass the government to respond to the needs of the people. A man of strong conviction who did not hesitate to speak his opinion, he also possessed a softness that was so often directed to the elderly and to children, “All God’s angels” to quote him. A deeply spiritual man, he looked forward every Sunday to watching Mass For Shut Ins on television. Cremation has taken place. Visitation will take place Monday, June 2 from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. at T.W. Curry Parkview Chapel. Funeral mass will be held Tuesday at 10 a.m. at St. Theresa’s Church with Fr. Jim Oliver officiating. Burial will follow at Resurrection Cemetery, Sydney Forks. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Theresa’s Food and Clothing Depot or to a charity of choice. Online condolences may be forwarded to the family at twcurryparkviewchapel@ns.sympatico.ca.
