In Memory of

Leonard

William

Brace

Obituary for Leonard William Brace

Leonard William Brace, beloved husband of Rita Brace, passed away at Foothills Hospital in Calgary, AB on Monday, April 13, 2020, at the age of 69 years. Along with Rita, his devoted wife of 47 years, Leonard leaves to cherish his memory three children, Tracy (John) Nelson, and their children, Taylor (Mitch), Zane (Miranda) and Bennett, Emma (James); Tamara (Dustin) Jones, and their children, Hunter, Chase, Ryeanna and Gage; and Denise (Mike) Vossler and Hayley. He also leaves to cherish his sisters; Lori (Chris), Joyce (Bronco); his brother Randy (Sharon); as well as numerous nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his father, Louis Brace; mother, Ella Stolz; and his stepfather, Walter Stolz; sister, Helen Castets; and his brother, Gordon Brace. Leonard was born on September 26, 1950 in Empress, AB, and grew up in Bindloss, Alberta. He married the love of his life Rita, in Williams Lake, BC, on August 31, 1973 and together they raised their girls in Bindloss. Leonard had various jobs and then worked as a gas plant operator for many years until his heart attacks in 1998. They moved to Medicine Hat in June, 2001 and then on June 21, 2002 he was granted the gift of life by an anonymous heart donor. Dad always said the donor must have been a woman because he would cry at the drop of a hat. Leonard and Rita were then able to enjoy his remaining years visiting and having coffee with friends, family and neighbors. They loved their visits with their grandchildren and attending their many events. He was given an additional 18 years and we feel very blessed to have shared with him so many wonderful memories. He was a jokester and had a sense of humor like no other, even when he was in the hospital. We couldn’t have asked for a better husband, father, father-in-law and grandpa. We will treasure him always until we meet again. A very special thank you to Unit 81 doctors and nurses, the staff at the Cardiac Transplant Clinic at the Foothills Hospital in Calgary, and the doctors and nurses at the Medicine Hat Regional Hospital. Your care and compassion that you gave to Leonard will forever be appreciated and remembered. Those who wish to remember Leonard may do so with a donation to the Calgary Health Trust, Att: Heart Transplant Program, Southern Alberta Transplant Program, #800, 11012 MacLeod Trail, Calgary, AB. T2J 6A5, Phone (403) 943-0615 or Halo Air Ambulance #12 - 49 Viscount Avenue SW, Medicine Hat, Alberta T1A 5G4. In honour of Leonard’s wishes there will be no formal service. Condolences may be sent to Saamis Memorial Funeral Chapel at www.saamis.com or to condolences@saamis.com subject heading Leonard Brace. Funeral arrangements are entrusted to