LEEK , W. James “Jim” Leek

Jim passed away at the age of 89 in Southlake Hospital after a short illness. He was the elder brother to his three sisters Margaret (Wendell), Pat (Jack), and Jean (Barry). And Uncle Jim to Jay (Karen), Barb, Karen (Troy), Jill (Claude), Cassandra (Chris), Lurissa, and Kerri (Keith), as well as a great many grand nieces and nephews.

Jim grew up on the Leek family farm outside of Mt. Albert. He was very involved in the local Junior Farmers group, and at one point travelled to Halifax for an extended period on exchange to expand his farming knowledge and experiences, while the Leeks later hosted a young farmer from England. A big part of the social side of Junior Farmers was square dancing, and Jim, along with his sisters Pat and Marg, do-si-do’d their way onto Canadian television appearing on the popular Country Hoedown in 1957!

After Jim’s father, Herb Leek, passed away in 1956, he continued to work the farm for a further 10 years along with his uncle Sam, until the Leek family moved into Newmarket. Jim then took a job helping to oversee production at Sterling Drug in Aurora, followed by a number of years as Assistant to the Treasurer for the Town of East Gwillimbury. After “retiring”, he enjoyed working for many more years on the grounds crew at Pheasant Run Golf Course.

Outside of his family, “Jimmy” was extremely involved with and dedicated to several branches of service clubs, including the Rowland Masonic Lodge No. 646 G.R.C. of Mount Albert, Tuscan Masonic Lodge No. 99, G.R.C. of Newmarket, Rameses Newbeaver Shrine Club of Newmarket, and The Scottish Rite Club of Barrie. It was with this latter group that he passionately supported a program aimed at the remedial tutoring of children with dyslexia.

Jim was a man of many friends and groups. Memorably, there were annual train trips to Parry Sound with the Old Chum Hunt Club, and more recently with the somewhat less official but no less fun Friday Breakfast Club. In either case, there was no shortage of “shenanigans”! Whether you were Jim or Jimmy, you will be missed.

A celebration of Jim’s life will be held at Skwarchuk Funeral Home, 30 Simcoe Rd., Bradford on Wednesday, August 27, 2025 from 1–3 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Scottish Rite Charitable Foundation Learning Centre (Barrie-Muskoka), Shriners Hospital for Children or to the charity of your choice.

Memories and notes of condolence may be shared at Funeral Home Not Listed.