Hughie Robert Leask

Our beloved husband, father, choom, chapan, brother, nephew, uncle and cousin, Hugh was born in Birch River hospital on January 29th, 1954.

Hugh passed away peacefully with his young brother Nelson by his side on August 3rd, at 7:29 pm, at Riverview Health Center.

Hugh attended school at the Pelican Rapids school, then to attend the Frontier Collegiate for high school. He studied at KCC to learn a trade. Hugh joined basic military training in Ontario with his brother Edgar. Hugh returned home for holidays, and he did not return to complete the training. He stayed home to take care of his young siblings with the help of his aunt and uncles.

Hugh met Delores in Mafeking in 1981and they were joined in holy matrimony on August 12th 1995. Although they went their separate ways, they remained friends, co-parenting their children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. Hugh and Delores were blessed with daughters Kimberly, Kendell, and baby girl Wynonna and son Shawn. Hugh and Delores lived in Shoal River, now known as Sapotaweyak Cree Nation.

He attended and took part in annual gatherings and events in Sapotaweyak and Fort Qu’Appelle.

His passion for music started at a young age, playing along side his grandfather Simon at square dances; he sang country and gospel songs. He learned to play piano with Robert Cook Sr. and would travel to attend wakes and funerals to play guitar and sing Cree gospel hymns and songs.

He was an outdoorsman who loved to hunt with his friends and family, he spent much of his time at the cabin at Bell River where family gatherings were held. He played baseball with the Shoal River Aces/Braves and he travelled with the team to baseball tournaments; he was recruited by Dennis Barker to play with Barrows.

He went for daily visits at his brother-in-law Dennis and sister Selena’s playing bingo at their house and watching hockey and other sports with them and Frank. Hugh worked and was employed with Shoal River Band Administration in housing, lands management as project coordinator. Hugh was elected/appointed to the local health board and he was elected as a band councillor. Hugh was raised by his grandparents Bella Ann and Simon in Shoal River and Bell River, He also moved with his parents to logging camps to help his dad.

As we bid farewell to Hugh let us carry forward the love and laughter he brought into our lives. Though he may no longer be with us in body, his spirit will forever echo in our hearts, reminding us to cherish each moment and hold tight to the bonds of family.

Hugh was predeceased by his parents Martha (nee Kematch) and Pearly Leask, grandparents Bella Ann and Simon Kematch, Elizabeth (nee Cook) and Hugh Leask, great grandparents Arabelle and Denham Kematch. Uncles/Aunts- Ralph, Hubert, Clifford, Neil, Bruce (Christanne) Kematch, Nora (Gordon) Cook, Clara Brass (Michael), Gladys Cook, Wesley (Nancy) Leask, Eleanor (Raymond) Hamilton, Leonard Leask, Wilfred (Thelma) Leask, Bertha (Richard) Gott, Lillian (Alec) McCellan, Alfred (Sarah) Leask, Josie (Dorothy) Leask, Ada (Gabe) Ferland, Alice Campbell.

His Brothers/Sister Edgar, Willard, Robert, Priscilla, Frederick. His nieces, Tanya, Samantha, Suella, Stephanie, and Shady. His nephews, Benjamin, Jonathon, and Ralph. His son and his daughter, Shawn and Wynonna. His mother-in-law Helen Cook, sister-in-law Cheryl Genaille. His great grandsons/nieces Sandy Ross Stevens, Kenyon and Orion, Ramona and Wilma. His brother-in-law George Moore.

He leaves behind mother of his children, Delores; his daughters Kimberly, Kendell, Priscilla Frank; his son Eric; his granddaughters whom they raised as their own, Alayna & Kayla; his grandchildren & great grandchildren; his sisters, Nora (Fred) Stevens, The Bluff Road Della Leask-Moore, Winnipeg; Selena (Dennis) Cook, Caroline (Edmond) Quill, Sapotaweyak. His brother P.Nelson (Rosie) Leask, The Pas. His uncle/aunts Harold (Harriet) Kematch, Betsy Kematch, Elizabeth Kematch, and Emily Kemtatch. Sisters-in-law Jennifer & Doris. Brothers in law Bruce & Edward G. Many more cousins, and family members to numerous to mention.