Leslie McCreesh

Leslie Arthur McCreesh
1921 - 2017

Passed away peacefully at Carpenter Hospice in Burlington on February 9th, 2017. Predeceased by Joyce, his partner in life of 67 years, Les will be sorely missed by sons Don and Graeme, daughter-in-laws Susan and Janine, grandsons Chris, Tim and Mike and their wives Nicole, Lisa and Micky, along with great grandchildren, Madeline, Jamin, Curtis, Teagan and Connor.

Born and raised in England, Les volunteered in WWII to join the newly formed British Parachute Regiment and saw action in North Africa, Sicily, Italy and Holland, in most instances dropping behind enemy lines to secure strategic objectives in advance of Allied advances and invasions. He was wounded and captured during Operation Market Garden while fighting to secure a key bridge over the Rhine in Arnhem, Holland, a battle immortalized as “A Bridge Too Far”. During a visit to Arnhem in 2004, Les was greeted by Dutch schoolchildren wearing T-shirts bearing the words “I am a child of freedom, thank you Mr. Veteran” – a sentiment echoed by his family.

Les immigrated to Canada along with his family in 1954. He immediately began a career in public health, serving as plumbing inspector, public health inspector and executive in the Ontario Ministry of Health. He served as a national officer of the Canadian Institute of Public Health Inspectors helping to create an education and accreditation program for the profession that continues today. He was elected a Fellow of the Assoc. of Public Health Inspectors (UK) and named a Life Member of the Canadian Institute of Public Health Inspectors.

Family and friends will be received at Ward Funeral Home, 109 Reynolds Street, Oakville for a Memorial Service on Wednesday, February 15th at 1 p.m. If desired, memorial donations to Carpenter Hospice or Camp Oochigeas would be appreciated by the family. Please visit the Book of Memories at www.wardfuneralhome.com