Obituary of Leslie Waddell

Leslie Donald Waddell, at the age of eighty-three, passed away peacefully in his home on Sunday, July 5, 2026, cared for by his loving and patient wife, Judith.

​Born in an intense blizzard on January 17, 1943, in Ottawa, Leslie was raised in Metcalfe, Ontario, by his proud parents, Archie and Rachel Waddell. From the many stories of his childhood, he grew up deeply loved by his big brother, Malcolm, and his beloved sister, Faye. He had many experiences in life for which he was always grateful to share. After starting a career in teaching, followed by his service in the government, Leslie always had stories to tell about his life's adventures and the people he met along the way.

​More than anything, Leslie loved his family. He married Judith Carole Mayor on November 25, 1972, and found his forever home in Marathon Village that same year. Marathon is where he started his family and met lifelong friends. As a father, he was the ultimate "giving tree"—patient, calm, and protective almost to a fault. He provided everything his children could ever want or dream of, always serving as their safety net.

​In his free time, he was well-known for his passion for reading when he was younger. Leslie also loved golfing and curling, not only for the sport but for the community of friends he met and shared his time with. While Leslie was a quiet man, he had the rare ability to talk to anyone and make them feel instantly comfortable. He always kept an open door at home, and the people he touched along the way always knew exactly where they could find him: in his chair with a Colt's Mild cigar. His quiet, welcoming personality, integrity, warmth, and a bright smile that lit up the room meant that neighbors and friends were always dropping in just to talk to him.

​His children, Bruce and Lindsay, will always carry heavy hearts and will never forget what it felt like to be loved so deeply by their father. He taught Bruce how to be a man, a father, and a husband, and he taught Lindsay how a gentleman should treat a woman, as well as how to love herself and stay true to herself. His grandchildren, Oliver and Lincoln Aboud, Henry, and the Waddell baby Sammy, will always remember his warm hugs and generous soul. His daughter-in-law, Meaghan, and son-in-law, Peter, were everything he could have ever hoped for his children, and he will be missed by them deeply.

​He will be missed, but never forgotten, by his cherished sisters-in-law, Joyce Morris, and Pat Waddell, his brothers-in-laws Eric Sandilands, John (Sharon) Mayor, Gerald (Denise) Mayor, and George Mayor, as well as all of his cousins, nieces, nephews, and his extended family of friends.

​Leslie lived the majority of his life on Linda Loop in Marathon Village and touched so many lives, including Kelly Henderson, and all the other children from the neighborhood. He passed away after being visited by those he loved most, in his favorite place in the whole world: his home.

​Les, you were simply the best.

​Please join us for a celebration of Leslie’s life on Saturday, August 15, 2026, at the Kinburn Community Centre from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM.

All are welcome, just as Leslie would have wanted it.

In lieu of flowers please direct your donations to the Arnprior Regional Health Foundation.