On June 6, 2013 Roderick Mark Leeuw slipped peacefully away from all earthly concerns, surrounded by the people who meant the most to him after a life long struggle with complications from a brain stem tumor in his first years of life.

Rod is survived by his loving and devoted family, mother and father Carol and Len, brothers Bart (Jennifer), Mitch (Tanya) and his nephews Berkley and Brandon Leeuw, and many aunts uncles, cousins and very dear supportive friends and neighbors.

Rod was born in Prince George, B.C. on August 3, 1968, moving to Kamloops with his parents at the age of 2 months. Through his continuous medical struggles Rod maintained a sense of humour and the belief that his life had purpose for him and for all of the lives of those he came into contact with. There were many guardian angels who watched over Rod besides his family. His dear friends and mentors Boots and Dodie, those he worked with, played soccer with and all those he met on the street or at the mall who never forgot Rod's need for dignity, encouragement and support.

Rod began his school days at A.E. Perry Elementary. He moved on from there to McArthur Park Secondary and graduated from NorKam Secondary in 1989. Rod spoke often and was grateful for such wonderful teachers as Mrs. Fox in Grade Seven, Mr. Fred Tippie (who was actually Bart's teacher but was a model of caring and support to Rod) at A.E. Perry Elementary, and a most wonderful councilor Mr. Gerry Hemstock at NorKam Secondary. Rod also had home teachers during recovery from his many surgeries and we are ever grateful for these wonderful teachers Boots Lipsett, Lynn Densmore and Lil Bentson who touched Rod's life as well as ours with their knowledge and their individual kindnesses.

Rod loved playing soccer, volunteering at the Salvation Army Thrift Store on Saturdays, working out at the gym, listening to music, playing Scrabble on his laptop and spending time with his family and friends. His nephews Berkley and Brandon were the focus of his life from the day they arrived into our family circle. Rod spent many hours with them playing games, wrestling and building a relationship with them. Rod always strove to enjoy life to the fullest potential possible. He never complained or felt he had been cheated because of his tumor. Instead he aspired to become all that he could be in spite of it. Rod spoke often about dying because he felt like he was close to it many times in his 44-year life span. Rod maintained that death like birth was not an ending but a beginning to a fuller life. Rod's simple philosophy was "You have to live until you die." Rod is now in that fuller life, and one by one we will join him as we move on to our next level of progressive learning and living. Rod was forced to endure many hardships in his short lifetime, and the acceptance of such challenges by him must be considered as being quite noble. For eventually such people seem to become the ultimate sacrifice for others to learn true compassion and service.

It was Rod's wish to have a private family service at a later date. It is also his wish that you "Pay it forward" to the community by remembering those less fortunate than you by offering your services or a kind word where you see a need or a monetary donation when you can afford it.

Our sincerest thank you to the Royal Inland Hospital Nursing Staff and staff in all departments who served Rod's and our needs each time Rod came to the hospital emergency, had surgery, tests, scans and physio. Sincerest thanks to the doctors who attended him over the years putting him back onto the road of hope and recovery many times. Dr. Edworthy, Dr. W. Chin, Dr. J. Howie, Dr. G. Singh, Dr. M. Faridi, Dr. Fryer (Pediatric Oncologist, Children's Hospital, Vancouver, B.C.), Dr. J.F. Chevalier, Dr. R. Brownlee, Dr. D. Omahen, Dr. Ragavan and Dr. T. Collier.

Our sincerest gratitude to the Ponderosa Palliative Care Nursing staff that went above and beyond in their care of Rod and his family in his last days, each one of you are true angels of mercy and compassion. Thank you.

I will not fight against death
Because that is a fight some day
I will lose,
And I do not want to leave life
on a losing note.
Instead, I will fight for life and
all its joy and beauty.

Then when the day comes
that I must go,
I will leave behind a gift. My Spirit.
My spirit will carry a message
Saying that love, beauty,
hope and courage
Can be found in the darkest times.

Go on our sweet boy and know we
grieve together over our physical loss of you, and at the same time we celebrate for your soul being set free.

WE DIDN'T GIVE YOU THE
GIFT OF LIFE;
LIFE GAVE US THE GIFT OF YOU.

Kamloops Funeral Home, 285 Fortune Drive is in charge of arrangements. 250-554-2577.