Kenneth Leftwich

Kenneth (Ken) Hamilton James Leftwich was born September 9, 1935, on the family farm near Esterhazy, SK. to Hamilton Vernon Leftwich and Gracie Jane (Miller) Leftwich.  He completed all his schooling in Esterhazy, travelling to and from school by horse.  Throughout all his school years he always helped on the family farm.  His high school grades sometimes suffered, as he always started school in the fall after the crop was off.  Despite that challenge, Ken still managed to pass his classes.   After completing his final high school exam, he caught a ride with the United Church minister to Wawa Ontario where he went to work for Algoma Steel.  By 1957 he was back in Esterhazy working for the Utah company who were sinking the shaft at the new potash mine at Esterhazy. He married Mary Eleanor Abdai in 1958 with daughter Beverley Jane arriving in 1959 and son Dale Hamilton in 1960.  The young couple soon moved to Regina where Ken worked at the Inter Provincial Pipe and Steel Company (IPSCO). They were joined by youngest son Glenn James in 1963.  After several years at IPSCO Ken enrolled in welding school in Weyburn, and in March 1968 the family moved to Asquith where Ken was once again working on mine construction, this time for Cominco.  Shortly thereafter Ken started work with Duval which became Potash Corp of Saskatchewan, Cory Division.  He spent the next 15 years at Corey working as a welder, pipe fitter and millwright.  Ken also worked for various farmers in the Asquith area and often went back to Esterhazy to help his dad on the farm.

 It was Asquith where Ken and Eleanor raised their family. Ken was always civic minded and did his part to serve the community where he and Eleanor had chosen to raise their family. As small town life revolved around the rink in the winter Ken quickly became involved with the rink board.  Being involved did not simply mean a meeting every month, Ken was soon chairman.  Ken spearheaded major arena projects such as new boards and glass for the hockey and skating arena, insulating the curling rink and installing a chiller to improve ice quality and extend the curling season.   Ken didn’t just help organize ideas though.  He helped with fund raising, and was there night after night swinging hammers, or climbing into the rafters installing insulation.  You name it and he would ensure it got done. Ken was on town council for the last 10 years they were in Asquith, serving as Mayor for the final four.  He was no different on council than he was on the Rink Board.  He never did anything without his full commitment. He would often go out and run the town grader to get the job done right and because the job needed to be done.  Eventually he led the council that had the town streets paved.  He was a Church Elder in the Asquith United Church.  Ken was always there supporting his kids’ extracurricular activities in any way he could.

Farming was always in Ken’s blood.  About 1980 Ken started farming some land he bought from his father, using holidays, weekends, and a bit of his son’s help.  In 1983 Ken and Eleanor took the plunge and returned to their roots, buying a home and more land at Esterhazy and Ken started farming fulltime.  In May 1984 Ken resigned as Mayor and from the rink board and the Town of Asquith held a celebratory evening for them, giving them a proper farewell and thank you.   After sixteen years in Asquith and eight prior in Regina, Ken and Eleanor returned to their roots in Esterhazy.  When many people are planning their retirement Ken was starting his second career, farmer.

Ken quickly got cattle.  They got some pigs.  They got a few chickens.  It didn’t take long to know that the only livestock they enjoyed were the cattle.  So, that was the only livestock which he continued with for several years, until he eventually decided to slow down, and be strictly a grain farmer. Ken bought more land and rented some too.  In later years he was joined by his son Dale in the farming endeavor. He continued to work off the farm in the winter for many years after they were on the farm, making use of his welding and pipefitting background.  Farming life was never easy, but it was always where he wanted to be.

He loved to see new things and they enjoyed travelling.  There were frequent trips with their kids, camping in tents, truck campers or motels, and the trips were always about family. Travelling across Canada from Vancouver Island to Ontario, either with family, or to see family.    Usually, a bit of both.   There were fishing trips with friends from Asquith.   There were regular camping trips with his brother Dave and his family, sometimes with brother-in-law Zolie and his family or, niece Jeanette and her family, or any combination.   From one of    those camping trips, they happened upon a little Country Fest in Dauphin Manitoba, which they went on to attend 27 years in a row. For many years they travelled to Fairmont Hot Springs B.C, for Thanksgiving weekend.   In later years they travelled to Mexico, Cuba, Texas, Arizona, Florida, The Bahamas, Nashville, and Branson.  But there was never a trip that did not include family in some way.

And there were so many friends along the way.  Friends from Esterhazy, from Regina, from Asquith and back to Esterhazy once again.  Many of those friendships endure today.  Ken and Eleanor loved to dance and they were spectacular to watch. There were many parties with friends that often included sing-a-longs where Ken was known for unusual instrument choices.

In 2015, Ken and Eleanor took all their descendants, and spouses on an epic trip to retrace the family history. The trip included stops in France, England, Scotland, and Ireland. 

In 2017 they moved off the farm.  Ken had managed to stay in exceptional health most of his life, however, when his health turned, it turned hard.  His various health concerns combined, required that he move to Centennial Special Care Home where he spent his final 3 years. 

Ken is survived by his beloved wife Eleanor (Abdai), Daughter Bev (Nestor Mechor), sons Dale (Ailsa (Hedley-Leftwich)), Glenn (Bruce Clairmont), brother David (Emily Biro), brother-in-law Albert Abdai (Dave Frisbe)

Grandchildren Kimberley Mechor, Liana Mechor, Pamela Mechor, Aleta Leftwich and Lua Leftwich

Great-Grandchildren Sebastian Turgeon, Sophia Turgeon

Numerous treasured nieces and nephews and cousins

He was predeceased by his parents, Gracie (Miller) Leftwich and H Vernon Leftwich as well as sister-in-law Gloria Leftwich, and several sisters and brothers-in-law, nieces, and nephews, Aunts and Uncles

Our Dad never felt uncomfortable saying “I Love You” while we were growing up.  He often said, “I’m very proud of you”.  It made us want to live our lives in a way that would continue to make him proud.    He said “I love you” right until he couldn’t anymore. So, if you only take one thing from the example he set in his life, remember to say “I love you” to your family as often as you can and let them know that you are proud of them.