Obituary of Leonard (Len) Emery

Leonard (Len) Emery passed away, surrounded by the love of his family, at the Ottawa Civic Hospital, on April 27, 2026. He had just turned 81.

Len grew up in the east end of Montreal, running the neighbourhood between the East End Boys Club and Trinity United Church, from John Jenkins Elementary to Dunton High School. But summers were spent in his favourite place: on Palmerston Lake in Ompah. There, his love of adventures in the outdoors was born, as he swam, hiked, fished, and generally messed around in the woods alongside his older brother Winston (Carol), cousins and friends.

If it were feasible, Len would have been a philosopher, as he was intrigued by questions of existence, belief and logic. Instead, he studied Education at McGill. It is there that he met his soon-to-be-wife, Sigrid, almost by accident, as she mistook him for someone else. During his 55-year marriage, he and Sigrid, who survives him, raised their two beloved daughters, Lauri (Tim) and Kristi (Harvey), with an unfailing love and a precious sense of home and family.

Through his career as an educator, Len taught in Rawdon, the Gaspé, Beauharnois and finally Chateauguay, until his retirement. Ever the teacher, Len knew the value of being curious and being involved in his children's lives. He was a softball coach, a long-haul driver to kayak regattas, and a painter of sets for the school plays. He rejoiced in the swimming parties in the backyard as much as he enjoyed teaching his girls how to drive '3-on-the-tree' in his old red truck. Len was particularly proud that he taught himself hockey in his 30's and played Old-Timers' hockey for as long as he could, with friends. The satisfaction he gained from working in the forest and cutting wood to (over)heat his cottage lasted his lifetime.

Len was delighted by his four grandchildren, Braden, Alexa, Hannah and Emmett, showing up for their activities when he could to offer his advice, experience, and support. They will hold on to memories of campfires, tube rides and stashes of chocolate, as 'Grandad' could never pass up a sweet treat.

Len will be remembered for his love of a good joke, his puzzles on his clipboards, his slightly askew Tilley Hat, and the fun activities he brought to life with family and good friends. He delighted in exploring new places, whether it was at campgrounds when his family was young or with old friends along the K&P Railway trails. He loved digging into the history of his beloved Ompah cottage area and understanding how his family was instrumental in establishing that community.

Len was cared for in his final days by the extraordinary nursing staff on the A3 wing at the Civic, and his family is so appreciative of their compassion and kindness. Donations in his name can be made to the Mississippi Valley Conservation Foundation for their Palmerston-Canonto Conservation Area. The family will be holding a private memorial celebration at a later date.