Leon Albrecht

It is with heavy hearts that the family of Leon Albrecht announce his passing on August 6, 2021 at the Trillium Hospital in Mississauga at the age of 94.

Preceded in death by his wife Kathleen (1978) his second wife, Renate (2010)

Loving father of Kevin (Diane) and Michael, Proud Popa to Andrew (Taylor) and Victoria (Nolan) and great grandpa to Oliver.

Leon was born in Piotrkow, Poland on June 12, 1927. As a young man he lived through the Uprising of Poland and in1944 he became a member of the Home Army. Under surrender he declared himself a member of the Allied Forces and in October he would become a POW. Speaking two languages, he became the unofficial interpreter between his group of POW’s and the guards. He would later attest to that saving his life.

September 1945 a group of them would depart from Darmstadt Germany to Italy. Here he would become a Private in the Polish 2nd Corps, Armored Brigade. In 1946 his unit was transferred to Liverpool, England. This is where Leon would continue his studies and meet his Wife Kathleen.

In 1953 they would emigrate to Canada and eventually settle in Brampton to raise their family.

Leon’s career would take him from the Ford Motor Company (Analyst Specialist) Windsor, Massey Ferguson (Project Analyst) Toronto, Traders, Toronto and Royal Insurance, Vice President (Toronto) 1970- 1990 (retired)

Upon his many career accomplishments Leon was most proud of his book he wrote during his early career entitled “Organization and Management of Information Processing Systems” and was published in 1972 by MacMillan Publishing House, New York. In the late 1980’s he would teach a series of lectures at Ryerson University aimed at Information Systems Managers – Managing Organizational Change.

After Kathleen’s passing, Leon had welcomed his new life with Renate and her son’s Mark and Bruce (Cynthia) Thorne he became Step Popa to Alexandra and the late Myles Thorne.

He and Renate would retire to Niagara on the Lake (1990) where they enjoyed the quiet life of the community. Leon travelled around the world during his career and he and Renate continued that into their retirement.

Leon loved to learn, read and travel. A day would not be complete without a twenty lap swim or a cross country ski across the Commons topped off with a long walk, he embraced exercise as part of his daily routine.

Thank you to all the people that helped during Leon’s journey with Dementia. His NOTL neighbours, Charlene, his first caregiver, Alzheimer’s association (Gerry), Season’s Retirement Home where Leon (and family) found the care and happiness he deserved, Cooksville Care Centre for the difficult care that he required and the nurses and doctors at Trillium Hospital during his final days.

Family and friends will be received at the Ward Funeral Home "Brampton Chapel", 52 Main Street South (Hwy 10), Brampton on Tuesday August 17, 2021 from 5:00 - 9:00 p.m. A Private family funeral service will be held at a later date.

In Leon’s memory, donations to the Alzheimers Society would be appreciated by the family.