Obituary of Leslie Ellswarth Shand

Please click here to view the livestream of the service

Les (Leslie) Ellswarth Shand, passed away suddenly in Lumsden, Saskatchewan on Friday, September 17, 2021 at the age of 73. Les was a loving husband, father, grandfather, uncle, friend, neighbour, First Responder and Justice of the Peace.

Les was born and raised in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan. The Shand family was a smaller branch within the large family network also made up of the Galan (Galon), Mintenko and Simpson families. Les was raised by William (Michael) and Anne (nee Galan), and sadly predeceased by his brother Milton (survived by wife Sandy and sons Michael and David). We’ve heard many stories of young blonde Leslie jumping off garage roofs and getting into trouble on the rail line.

The family relocated to Saskatoon, Saskatchewan and that is where Les met his high-school sweetheart and soulmate, Wendy (nee Hale).

Les began a lengthy career with the Correctional Service of Canada which started in Saskatoon and later spanned to Prince Albert, back to Saskatoon and then on to head office in Ottawa, Ontario.

Les had a fun adventurous side, especially in his younger years. Les and Wendy had a stint running a fly-in fishing camp in Northern Saskatchewan. They also took numerous canoe camping trips with best friends Bob and Joy Lytle and Andy and Suzy Rollo.

Amidst the adventure and travels, Les and Wendy welcomed 3 children into their lives: Trevor (Lauren), Stacey (Luke) and Kristina (Steve). Les taught his family a passion for road trips. There were trying years, but without question, Les was so proud of his children. A glance of his Facebook profile page shows you that every single post was a boast about his family.

And the boasting went to the next level when grandchildren started to arrive. Les had an amazing bond with Samantha and Sydney. Times were filled with walks in the valley, rock collecting, and movie marathons. Les enjoyed his visits in Los Angeles with Scarlett, Everett, Jade and Thayer. And Les was so excited about, and just recently proudly celebrated, the announcement of the next Shand baby that is on its way in February.

When retirement came, there were a few years spent living on and restoring a boat in Prince Edward County (ON), and then he settled in Lumsden, Saskatchewan at the Hale property to be closer to family. He gained an ever-faithful K-9 companion, Chase. But not being one to ‘fully’ retire, Les wanted to help others in his community and he became a Justice of the Peace and a certified First Responder with the Saskatchewan Health Authority. As recently as the Regina Exhibition just a few weeks ago, he was providing First Aid and First Responder care in the community. Over the many years of being a First Responder, he put his life at risk being there for others. He was the calm, supportive voice and hand for those when they were struggling or at the end of their lives. He took immense solace in that work. Being in a small tight-knit community, we give a heartfelt thanks to the First Responders who answered the call on Friday, as well as the Paramedics, RCMP and STARS helicopter ambulance for trying everything they could to keep him here with us.

We will miss the late night movie marathons, his absolute love of all things Halloween, rock collecting, tinkering projects, homemade soup at midnight, flashlight collecting, his armchair music skills, French-fry making…the list goes on. Without a doubt, Les is unfathomably loved and will be forever missed.

Funeral Service will be held at Speers Funeral Chapel, 2136 College Avenue, Regina, SK, on Friday, September 24, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. To view the livestream of the service please click on the link above which will be available on the day of the service.