Obituary of Leonard Leslie Kalaman

Please click here to view the livestream of the Prayer Service

Please click here to view the livestream of the Funeral Mass

Leonard (Len), late of Regina, SK passed away peacefully and with dignity on Saturday, December 11, 2021 at 3:36 p.m. after a courageous eight year journey with chronic lymphocytic leukemia. During his final moments before he walked into the loving arms of Jesus, he was surrounded by family as he took his final breath of earthly life. He is now in heaven, singing and dancing with the Lord, where his sight, hearing, mobility, swallowing, voice and breathing have all been restored by the healing hands of the Risen Saviour (He is Risen! Alleluia!). Leonard was born on Thursday, February 28, 1935 in Whitewood, SK. He was predeceased by: his parents, Alex and Anne; his brothers, Raymond and Ron; his loving wife of 37 years, Norma; his son, Garth; and, other relatives and friends. He is survived and will be lovingly remembered by: his sons, Devan and Darren; his daughters, Linda and Donna, his sisters, Elaine and Rosan (Eugene Bloski); his grandsons, Daric, Tyler and Dallas; his granddaughter, Megan; and, other relatives and friends. Leonard’s journey into blindness and a world of darkness began on April 8, 1968 as a result of a work-related injury. Leonard had a very deep and profound faith in his Shepherd, Jesus; and, Leonard’s guiding light through both physical and mental darkness was the Light of Christ. Leonard passed away during the Christian season of Advent. And, during this season, the following Truth is both read and joyously proclaimed in song: “Every valley shall be exalted and every hill made low. And all God’s people shall see together the glory of the Lord! . . . The blind shall see! The deaf shall hear! The lame shall leap for joy!” Leonard’s favourite hymn was, I Will Never Forget You; and, his favourite prayer was the Our Father. The Father in heaven was with Leonard every step of the way during his life’s journey and He carried Leonard during the times in his life when he struggled and suffered. During Leonard’s earthly life, he took great pride and joy in being the third owner of his 1968 Chevrolet Biscayne, Martha (purchased on Friday, December 3, 1971 at a price of $1,150). In a correspondence package dated February 8, 2017 (Darren’s birthday), Leonard finally (after years of written correspondence back and forth between himself and the President’s Office of General Motors of Canada) got his “achievement award”, a Chevrolet vintage ball cap, from the President and Managing Director of General Motors of Canada Company, Stephen K. Carlisle. Leonard loved having conversations with others and could talk for hours on the phone or in-person. Leonard also: learned to play the accordion under the direction of Regina’s Rita Appel; participated in Regina’s partially sighted/blind bowling league for many years and was the recipient of numerous bowling trophies; collected loonies and toonies and stored them in coffee cans for the purpose of paying the annual City of Regina property taxes; was a faithful listener of Regina’s CKRM radio and Regina’s CTV News; loved listening to old time music (e.g., polkas) on cassette tapes, and back in the day, was a frequent caller into Regina’s 980 CKRM afternoon song request show; enjoyed Baby Duck sparking wine, Tim Horton’s original blend coffee (double double), Aero chocolate bars, vanilla soft ice cream from the Milky Way and dining on steak dinners with Lemon Hart rum and Pepsi at the Chimney and Cottage restaurants in Regina; enjoyed all the baking and other food goodies from Darren’s work colleagues; was greatly attached to his talking clock, and most recently, his walker and walkie-talkie; loved being in his house where he very much enjoyed sleeping as much as he could and stressed to “cover the feet” while he slept; and, last, but certainly, not least, had an inseparable bond with his loving and loyal friend and protector of 16.5 human years, Mitsy, the family dog. Devan and Darren express their heartfelt thanks to the following who provided care for Leonard in and out of hospital most recently: spiritual staff from various organizations; paramedic and home care staff through the Saskatchewan Health Authority; emergency, cancer, and orthopaedic ward staff at the Pasqua Hospital; Allan Blair Cancer Centre staff; William Booth Special Care Home staff; Driven With Care staff; and, mobile hairdresser, Donna. A service of song, prayer, and remembrance will be held at Holy Family R.C. Church, 1021 McCarthy Blvd. North, Regina, SK on Friday, December 17, 2021 at 7:30 p.m. A Funeral Mass will be held at St. Mary's R.C. Church, 2026 Winnipeg Street, Regina, SK on Saturday, December 18, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. with interment to immediately follow at Riverside Memorial Park Cemetery where all are welcome. To view the livestream of the Prayer Service and the Funeral Mass please click on the links above at the time of the services. Food and drink and warm memories of remembrance are graciously accepted during this time. Leonard Kalaman will be forever loved and forever remembered. May he rest in peace in the loving arms of God. Dad/Grandpa/Len, we love you forever and we will never forget you!