Obituary of John Leckie

John Douglas Leckie
May 12, 1942 - May 15, 2026

It is with great sadness that the family of John Douglas Leckie announce his passing on Friday, May 15, 2026 at the age of 84, at the Queensway Carleton Hospital in Ottawa. John passed peacefully surrounded by the love of his family following a prolonged illness.

Born on May 12, 1942 and raised in Braeside Ontario, John enlisted in the Royal Canadian Navy as a teenager. His service took him to Halifax where he met the love of his life Barbara (nee Rafuse). Together they shared more than 61 devoted years of marriage building a life centred on love, family, and dedication to one another.

Dearly loved and devoted father to Kevin (Katherine) Leckie and Jackie (Steve) Bourgoin. He was a cherished Papa to Meghan (Brian) Forrester, Abigail (Michael) David, Mackenzie (Taylor) Bourgoin, Alexandra (Mike) Recoskie and Taylor (Kris) Landry. Proud great grandfather to Jackson & Kory, Avery, Thomas & Isla, and Blakely. He was also looking forward to the addition of two more expected in June.

John was predeceased by his parents, Beatrice Jane Burton and Thomas Hart Leckie; his brothers Monroe (late Irene), Fred (late Lois), Glen, Howard (late Diane), and Roy; and his sisters, Mary (late Joe), Janet, Alice (late Keith), Gloria (late Norman) and Maybourne (late Ralph).

He had a deep love of the outdoors and especially enjoyed moose hunting trips, time spent at the Hunt camp, fishing and ice fishing in the winter months.

Though he was a man of few words, he possessed many talents and a quiet wit that brought smiles to everyone around him. His sense of humour was unmatched, often followed by his signature smirk after sharing a good story. Among his greatest joys was teaching his grandchildren to drive, creating memories they will carry with them forever.

He will be dearly missed by his many nieces and nephews who lovingly knew him as “uncle John” and by his close friends who knew him best as “John Boy” and “Johnny”.

Special thanks to the Queensway Carleton Hospital, Dr. Kim, Dr. Christie and nurse Sean for their support and kindness shown to John and his family.

John’s arrangements have been entrusted to the Boyce Funeral Home Ltd., 138 Daniel Street N., Arnprior. Private Family Inurnment will take place at Goshen Cemetery, McNab-Braeside, on Friday May 22, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. followed by a Celebration of John’s Life at Kevin and Kathy’s home at 2210 Miller Road, Renfrew, Ontario from 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. All are welcome. In memory of John, a donation may be made to the University of Ottawa Heart Institute.