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Celebration of Life
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service and celebration of life will occur at a later date to be announced by the family.
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3 trees were planted in memory of Philip Leccese
Sunday, February 21, 2021
3 trees were planted in memory of
Philip Leccese
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We will forever cherish our wonderful memories of Phil. His love of the great outdoors was immeasurable! Can't think of a better way to honour him.
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3 trees were planted in memory of Philip Leccese
Tuesday, February 2, 2021
3 trees were planted in memory of
Philip Leccese
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Always enjoyed our adventures with Phil! Estelle & Rob
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Micheline & Al Beniusis planted a tree in memory of Philip Leccese
Wednesday, July 28, 2021
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Phil's love, enjoying people, nature and activities offered each season, shared the passion of living with grace. You'll be remembered in our prayers
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Mike and Lynne uploaded photo(s)
Sunday, February 21, 2021
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Always in our hearts.
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Martin McDonald uploaded photo(s)
Friday, February 12, 2021
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Phil Leccese
It was sad news to read last week of the passing of my friend Phil who I fondly referred to as the Italian Leprechaun. Phil had a heart as big as the great outdoors in which he reveled and gamboled. He loved to create fun while extending his enormous hospitality to his friends. He was a true athlete and had an extra bounce in his every step even while jogging. On the ski hill he was a terpsichorean delight. We skied the North American and Lone Pine at Mount Norquay in the morning and the Goat’s Eye at Sunshine or Ptarmigan at Lake Louise in the afternoon. We spent hours on Highway 93 driving to destination resorts like Jasper or Kimberley or just visiting the Columbia Ice Fields. Indeed we skied mountains all over the Pacific Northwest like Panorama, Mount Baker, Whistler and Fernie on the BC mainland and Mount Washington on Vancouver Island; Big Mountain, Big Sky, Sun Valley, Jackson Hole, Mammoth, Aspen and K2 in the good old USA and everyplace in between. Moreover that was just our winter itinerary.
During the BC summers we windsurfed the Windermere Valley and White Swan Lake and for fun hiked to Top of the World Provincial Park or luxuriated in the Fairmont, Glacier or Lussier River Hot Springs when it was calm or raining. We canoed in the Kootenays and on white water on the Red Deer River. In the summer of 1987 we circumnavigated Vancouver Island counter-clockwise on a sloop-rigged yacht aptly named Cloud Ten. On that trip we rounded Cape Cook and Solander Island (formidably named the graveyard of the Pacific) in the teeth of a 90 knot gale with the sails double-reefed motoring against a relentless current on our diesel alone. That ordeal took 22 hours. When we finally pulled into Hot Springs Cove north of Tofino we solemnly intoned an Our Father, Hail Mary and Glory Be to the Father and thanked God for saving our lives. We frolicked in Clayoquot Sound and soaked our depleted spirits in those Hot Springs on more than one trip and body-surfed on Long Beach for days on end.
Phil was a builder and the ultimate host. From the days when he and his Brother Louie opened their restaurant off Banff Avenue to the halcyon days when I enjoyed the accommodation at his palace at 110 Cave Avenue Banff and his legendary generosity; every day was an adventure with Phil and a wellspring of good food, good company and good times. In 1988 Phil gave me a gift of 229” Lacroix downhill skis with Canadian Olympic Team bindings which I dangled for 20 years. Phil was not an aviator but his life was captured in the opening stanza of the paean to the RCAF namely High Flight by John Gillespie Magee Jr: “Oh! I have slipped the surly bonds of Earth And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings; Sunward I’ve climbed, and joined the tumbling mirth Of sun-split clouds, --- and done a hundred things You have not dreamed of …..” My friend Phil you now inhabit the Elysian Fields and are invited to the Pantheon to drink nectar and dine on ambrosia. In the winter Zeus marvels as you ski the sun-dappled slopes of Mount Olympus as the deity of skiing.
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Mike Salfi uploaded photo(s)
Friday, February 5, 2021
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I was saddened to hear of my first cousin, Phil's passing. From my early days visiting Montreal with mom and dad when Phil would treat me to a Dairy Queen, to my first set of good skis and skiing Mount Bruno, to a cold call to him while on a summer visit to Banff, when Phil immediately invited my family over and he and Jean took us for several tours, and subsequent summer and winter visits when Phil was always more than happy to take us on mountain climbing adventures or skiing / cross country skiing (I will never forget Storm mountain living up to it's name) and attending my moms 90th, Phil was always very much a family man. I will miss his presence.
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Barbara Ruttan posted a condolence
Thursday, February 4, 2021
Dear Jean and Family - sorry to hear of Phil's passing. He had a long struggle. Jean hope you are keeping well, I miss our little chats. Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers. Barb
Robert Leccese uploaded photo(s)
Wednesday, February 3, 2021
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How do you say goodbye to your dad? It's extra hard when he's also been your lifelong best friend.
He lived a long and full life, and influenced so many more than even I will ever know.
Sooo many memories we will cherish. The ultimate adventurer, mountain man, craftsman, entrepreneur, mentor, but most of all; my dad and friend. Ciao amigo. RIP & Soar on.
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A tree was planted in memory of Philip Leccese
Wednesday, February 3, 2021
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Ruth Robinson posted a condolence
Wednesday, February 3, 2021
I knew Phil when he and Jean lived in Banff. His ready smile, kindness and generosity were some of his many lovable traits. He made the world a better place, and I am grateful for my memories of our visits and for his influence on me.
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Barry Smith posted a symbolic gesture
Tuesday, February 2, 2021
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It was the winter of 1975/76 when I first met Phil in Banff, seems like yesterday almost.
A mutual friend was invited to join Phil for a weekend of skiing and said to me "I don't think Phil will mind if you come along", and so I did. In true form, Phil welcomed me as if I was a friend already. From that moment on, I knew that this was a person I would like to get to know alot better and little did I know then, how lucky I was about to be.
I really enjoyed that first foray into the mountains , although my skiing ability was terrible, Phil was generous from the start with helpful tips on how to survive getting down the hill.
Many years later , Phil and I were skiing together at Sunshine Village near Banff, and as usual he was the first to jump into a very difficult pitch, skiing down with his signature aggressive style, and then he stopped to look back up and watch me come down.
I was having a good day and managed to come down that slope in style. When I pulled up where Phil was standing , he said " you are skiing really well " It was such a huge compliment !
It took me a few seconds to catch my breath and I said " thank you for being my teacher all these years, I couldn't have done it without you" He gave me a big hug and we both savoured the moment.
Phil taught me about the many good things that life has to offer, not only about the importance of a great cup of coffee and a perfect pancake , but most importantly , how to savour the moment and the memories of friendship.
I was skiing with Phil the day we/ he " bumped into Jean" on the ski hill at Sunshine and they really hit it off !
and so the years of friendship continued, so many fabulous memories were created. The warm hospitality they showed as a couple to Linda my partner and myself on our visits to their home in Banff was unmatchable.
To Phil's family and dear friends , I send all my love. He will be in our hearts and thoughts forever.
Thanks to Phil for the memories we created together .
Robert Leccese Posted Feb 3, 2021 at 11:29 AM
Thanks Barry,
You've been family for so long that it's hard to imagine there are stories I haven't heard yet. Thanks for sharing. The tears they bring are truly cathartic. The joy your friendship brought him was beautiful to have been part of.
Much love always,
Bob
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Mark McCaw lit a candle
Tuesday, February 2, 2021
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I would like to pass onto Jean and Phil’s Family our sincerest condolences on Phil’s passing and am thinking about the many fond memories that I have of him in the years that I knew him.
I first met Phil during the Ski season of 1980 /81when he was maintenance manager of the buildings on the ski hill. I needed his help with ordering in some materials to make a bunk bed. A few months later I was working for him in the maintenance shop. A couple of seasons later I was one of the young adults living in one of his spacious apartments. Love & Prayers Mark & Jodi McCaw.
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Martha Harrison posted a condolence
Monday, February 1, 2021
Sincerest condolences to Jean and all the Leccese family. Marc and I have the fondest memories of spending time with Phil in your lovely home in Banff, and on the slopes of Mount Norquay and Sunshine. Every run was an opportunity to improve our technique, and imagine that we were “skeleton skiing”. Phil was a magnificent skier, and encouraged us to be the best we could. It was a privilege to know Phil, and he inspired us with his energy and his zest for life. May your memories of happy times help you through this period. In deepest sympathy.
Martha & Marc
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Jean uploaded photo(s)
Monday, February 1, 2021
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Gwen & Max Black posted a symbolic gesture
Monday, February 1, 2021
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Phil was a life long friend. Have many happy memories of our fun times together through the years.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you, Jean and the family, at this most difficult time.
Hugs. Gwen and Max Black.
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The family of Philip Leccese uploaded a photo
Monday, February 1, 2021
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63 Garden Street
Phone: (613) 382-3088
Email: info@tompkinsfuneralhome.biz
63 Garden St. | Gananoque, ON K7G 2T8 | Phone: (613) 382-3088 | Fax: (613) 382-5362 | Email: info@tompkinsfuneralhome.biz
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