Ron, the rock of his family and an extraordinarily generous member of his community, died suddenly at home with Judy by his side after suffering a heart attack on Saturday, May 21, 2022.

Ron died just three months short of his 50th wedding anniversary. He was Judy’s partner in life and in politics. He was the most amazing father of Nick and Joe, often handling house and home single-handedly and always loving and supporting his sons unconditionally through many challenges and adventures.

Ron was born in Wellesley, Ontario where he leaves his older brother Gary Leis (Brenda), and his sisters, Judy Johnson and Sandy Poole (George) to mourn his passing. He was predeceased by his parents, Harold and Ruth Leis. He was loved by everyone in the Leis and Wasylycia clans.

Ron was heavily involved in his community, an activist for equality rights, and a good friend to all who knew him – always bringing laughter and joy, as well as tech support, to every family and neighbourhood gathering. He was an invaluable member of the Bannerman Green Not-for-Profit Housing Co-op, loved singing in the St. John’s Cathedral Choir, and was active on the board of EPIC Opportunities.

Ron loved playing his guitar for Nick and supporting Joe on his many marathon runs. He was an avid pickleball player and loved long bike rides with Judy. He read voraciously, enjoyed the theatre, symphony and opera, played to win at solo and euchre, and was already planning his weekend getaway with the guys at Betula Lake.

Ron graduated in 1970 from Elmira District Secondary School where he met Judy, and from the University of Waterloo in 1974 with an Honours BA in Math and Computer Science after which he worked as a computer technologist, most recently with Peaceworks Technology Solutions, a B Corp, using the power of business to solve social and environmental problems.

A celebration of Ron’s life will be held at St. John’s Cathedral, 135 Anderson Ave., at 2:00 p.m. on June 21, 2022. Masks and proof of vaccination for COVID-19 are required. The service will be available virtually, to be livestreamed at https://youtu.be/ceskU-WNsoM. The Cathedral is between North Main and the Red River, just north of St. John’s Park. There is street parking on all sides, but limited special needs parking. Please feel free to drop folks off at the Tower Door and then park your car. Emergency vehicle access must be maintained; plesae no parking in the driveway. Thank you!

Eulogies will be offered by Gary Leis, Joe Leis, and Judy Wasylycia-Leis. The presider and preacher will be The Very Rev. Paul N. Johnson, Rector of the Cathedral, and Dean of the Diocese of Rupert’s Land.

Following the service, all are welcome to continue celebrating Ron’s life with us at our home on 59 Bannerman Ave where we will have an abundance of food, music, stories, memories and laughter. Come and go as you please anytime after 4:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Epic Opportunities, the residential care agency that has supported Nick for almost 18 years, and where Ron continued to serve as an active board member until his death.

St. John’s Cathedral has been Treaty since 1817, was formally established in 1820, is committed to the good way of healing and reconciliation, and is a proud supporter of Kapabamayak Achaak Healing Forest Winnipeg. The Dean and Judy, along with others, are Forest Keepers. The Traveling Song to begin the service will be offered by Elder Val T. Oliver-Vint, also a Forest Keeper.

“We worship and live gratefully on Treaty One Land, the traditional territory of the Ininew, the Anishinaabe, and the Dakota, and the homeland of the Métis Nation. We are all treaty people.”
(We gather every Sunday with these words spoken aloud.)