Leslie Huston PAYNE

LESLIE (LES) HUSTON PAYNE The family sadly announces the sudden passing of Leslie Huston Payne, 72, of Reef Point, Fort Frances, Ont., on Tuesday, Dec. 21, 2004 at the Thunder Bay Regional Hospital in Thunder Bay, Ont. Leslie was born Sept. 19, 1932 in Fort Frances to the late Norman and Annabelle Payne. Les was an industrial millwright of 40 years in mining, rising to the status of supervisor. He also had many artistic talents, especially in woodwork. He was our jack-of-all-trades. Dad was very proud and his deep love for his children was evident in his desire to have them all home at the lake. He enjoyed building wooden items, stating each time not to ask for anything more and then he was excited and pleased when they did request more. Their happiness and welfare was Les’ priority. To each and everyone of his grandchildren, “Granpa” was special. He delighted in teasing them, and when they got annoyed, he’d smile and sing them a silly song, and then his world and theirs would be all fine again. We are all going to miss our wonderful husband, dad, and granpa. He was predeceased by his mother-in-law and father-in-law, Chris and Bridget Desaulniers; and one grandson, Lance Martin. Les is survived by his wife, Gladys Payne, of Fort Frances, Ont.; seven children, Cheryl (Greg) Martin of Logan Lake, B.C., Carol Smagac of Thunder Bay, Ont., Kenneth (Cheryl) Payne of Duncan, B.C., John (Carol) Payne of Winnipeg, Man., Karen Pressenger of Thunder Bay, Ont., Susan (Robert) Kay of Welland, Ont., and Patricia (Mark) Rentner of Thunder Bay, Ont.; and 10 grandchildren, Jason Martin, Chris and Travis Smagac, Corey and Kyle Pressenger, Murray and Michelle Kay, Ashley and Victoria Cerqueira, and Amy Rentner. Also surviving are one brother, Stanley (Joan) Payne of Devlin, Ont.; two sisters, Betty Ann Silver of Dundas, Ont., and Shiela Kalic of Thunder Bay, Ont.; and numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, and nephews. Funeral services will be held Thursday, Dec. 30, 2004 at 11 a.m. at St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church in Fort Frances, with Fr. George Karakunnel officiating. Visitation will be held Wednesday, Dec. 29, 2004 from 7 until 9 p.m. at St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church in Fort Frances. Parish prayers will be offered at 7:30 p.m. Pallbearers will be Ralph O’Connor, Robert Kay, Robert Rentner, Thomas Cressey, Glen Treflin, and Todd Desaulniers. Honourary pallbearers will be Les’ grandchildren. Should family and friends so desire, in memoriam donations may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario, 920 Frenette Ave., Fort Frances, Ont., P9A 3N4. But the righteous, though they die early, will be at rest. For old age is not honoured for length of time, or measured by numbers of years; but understanding is gray hair for anyone, and a blameless life is ripe old age.