CHAISSON, Joseph 'Leo' - Surrounded by the love of his family and wrapped in a blanket with a picture of his grandchildren on it, Joseph Leo Chaisson passed peacefully on December 5, 2020, at the age of 80 at the Margaret Bahen Hospice, after a short but courageous battle with aggressive pancreatic cancer.
'Leo' was born in St. Felix (Tignish), Prince Edward Island on May 25, 1940 and was the second oldest of 10 siblings. From a young boy, he helped his father on the dairy farm in P.E.I and continued to help support the family as a teenager when his family moved to Toronto in 1955.
He met Frances Perry at a P.E.I. ‘kitchen party’ held by Frances’ parents after her family also moved to Toronto from Tignish in 1957. However, Fran was only 14 and not allowed to date at the time, so Leo had to wait a few years to court his bride-to-be.
After 4 years of dating Leo married his beloved Fran in Richmond Hill on July 1, 1967 and they celebrated their 53rd wedding anniversary this past July. Their love tale is one for the story books and they left such an example of what marriage should be – love, compassion, understanding, and championing the qualities of the other person. Leo was fiercely protective of his wife’s heart and always put family first.
Leo was the beloved dad to Daryl and Michelle and father-in-law to Holly and Rob. He was so proud of his children and their accomplishments. He was the dad who spent hours in the car and at the rink as a pride-filled hockey dad to Daryl and did basically anything Michelle asked him to do – she was always Daddy’s little girl. As his children got older, he was the dad that you called when something happened – whatever that was. He was always there to fix it, even if the fix was just a big hug (but sometimes it was to get squirrels out of your attic or to put together a new bed (which he did backwards!)).
He was adored the most by his four grandchildren, Addisyn, Zachary, Avery and Brooklynn who affectionately called him “Boppy” or “Poppy," depending on which one you asked. He got such joy and laughter out of his grandchildren and the funny things that little ones do and say (even when he was the punchline of the comment!). He overflowed with pride for these little ones. Leo had such a love for all children - and his jolly, Santa-like persona and laugh were magnetizing for his own grandkids and so many children in his life. Sitting on Boppy/Poppy’s lap was their favourite place to be.
Leo was predeceased by his loving parents John and Doris Chaisson and two of his brothers Raymond (and wife Corrinne) and Andy. His memory lives on in his remaining siblings and their spouses who loved their brother so dearly: Eunice, Alfred (Cecilia), Thelma, Phyllis, Lester (Carrol), Louie, Jerry (Pam) and sister-in-law Anne Marie. He is also lovingly remembered by Fran’s living siblings Donnie (Willy), Ken (Audrey), David, Vince (Val) and brother-in-law (and dear friend) Joe.
He was predeceased by Fran’s parents Anthony and Amelia Perry and sister Doreen, all of whom loved Leo so very much.
Leo touched the hearts of his many nieces and nephews (and their spouses), who were drawn to his warm bear hugs and joyful personality. He was beloved “Uncle Leo” to Cindy (Mike), Barbara (Paul), Danny, Deborah (Greg), Lisa (Phil), Brian, Kevin (Kathy), Holly, Shannon, Andrea, Jeffrey, Matthew (Celia), Michael (Amanda), Melanie (Adam), John, Jennifer (MC), Charlene (Mike), Troy, Danielle (Dave), Shaun (Jenny), Torrie (Ken), Sarah (Jeremey), Travis, Kristel, Colin (Abby) and numerous great nieces and nephews.
Even with a very large family, Leo had friends who were like family and he will be so dearly missed by Phil Gaudet, Leo and Aggie Gaudet, Dolor and Bernice Pitre, Anne Pitre, Karen and Al Armstrong, Foster and Evelyn Gallant and so many other P.E.I friends, work friends and community friends who touched his life over the years. He is also fondly remembered by the many friends of Daryl and Michelle.
Leo courageously started his own business, D&L Fire Protection, in 1987. He is remembered by clients and vendors as a loyal and kind businessman who put integrity before anything else. This business is a legacy that continues with Daryl and his family and D&L Fire Protection continues to be a highly regarded small business in York Region.
Leo loved to travel with Fran and his family and particularly loved cruising and beach vacations. Fran and Leo experienced many travel adventures, including driving their RV across Canada all the way into Alaska. They spent many summers at their property in P.E.I., travelling to music festivals across the island many weekends. But Leo was most happy when his children and grandchildren came to spend time in P.E.I. every other summer.
Leo is remembered for his mastery and love of music, especially vintage country music and traditional P.E.I. “tunes”. He played guitar, piano, pump organ, fiddle and mandolin; learning to play all of these by ear, starting at a very young age during nightly music sessions with his parents and siblings. He had a voice and an ability to harmonize that is ingrained in the memories of all of those who were lucky enough to attend the many celebrations with extended family when the instruments came out (especially after a few beers). Leo was always in the centre of the action of any kitchen party - guitar, fiddle, or mandolin in hand. This love of music has flowed through him to his own children, grandchildren and his nieces and nephews – many of whom now include the old “tunes” in their musical repertoire.
We will never forget his joyous personality, huge warm embrace that gobbled you up, kind eyes, absolute love of family and, most of all, his deep barrel laugh that came from the centre of his belly. For those of us that remain, we hope that laugh is filling up space in heaven and that Dad/Leo is holding his own P.E.I kitchen party with all of those he loved who went before him. May he forever rest in peace.
Arrangements entrusted with Taylor funeral home, Newmarket. Due to COVID, a small private funeral service will be held at St. John’s Chrysostom Catholic Church in Newmarket, Ontario. However, when we are permitted to gather, Daryl and Michelle will hold a proper celebration for Leo – the biggest P.E.I. kitchen party you can imagine.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Pancreatic Cancer Canada at the following website: https://pancreaticcancercanada.ca.
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