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NORMAN GRAHAM LEATHERS
After a short illness Norman Graham Leathers, beloved husband of Patricia, has passed peacefully into memory at the age of 89.
Norman was predeceased by his parents, Victor and Beatrice Leathers, his sister Patricia Richtik, his brother Burton, and his son-in-law Andrew Pearase. He is survived by Patricia, his wife of 67 years and his children, Gordon (Shelagh Burke), Barbara Schmidtke (Rudy), Graham (Becca) and Maureen Pearase along with his sister Claire Ogden (Dennis), brother-in-law James Richtik, sister-in-law Linda Moffat and grandchildren, Sherri Thomas (Bob), Lisa, Christina Hopkins (Mike), April, Jeremy, and Erin, and an assortment of great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
Norman was born in Winnipeg on January 10, 1936. He attended Gordon Bell High School and United College where he met and married Pat. He went to university on the Regular Officer Training Plan and graduated in 1958 with a BA, his wings and a wife. He became a flight instructor in the Royal Canadian Air Force on both the T6 Harvard trainer and the Canadair CT 114 Tutor.
Norm and Pat took up their first posting in Trenton, Ontario where they welcomed a son, Gordon. Following a transfer to Penhold, Alberta two more children arrived, daughter Barbara and son Graham. Another transfer took the family back home to Winnipeg where daughter Maureen was added to the family.
Norman flew for the navigation school out of Station Winnipeg until he left the Air Force and began teaching high school science and mathematics in the St. Vital School Division at the newly constructed Dakota Collegiate. He returned to the Air Force for three more years, instructing on the Tutor jet trainer, a machine he loved to fly.
He finished a B. Ed while in the Air Force and, after retiring from the service, he taught high school science and mathematics at Glenlawn and Dakota Collegiate for several years. He finished his tenure in the school division as an audio visual technician. During his time in the Audio Visual department he served as treasurer of the union local.
Norman was a talented musician taking up the violin at an early age culminating with a seat in the Manitoba Youth Orchestra. On joining the service he began playing brass instruments and played the French horn in various military bands along with the St. James Pops Orchestra.
He was an engineer at heart, taking great delight in technology. Even after his Air Force service he loved talking about flying and explaining the physics of flight. Railways were his true passion and he built a large HO scale layout in his basement. He was an enthusiastic member of the Winnipeg Model Railroad Club, the Vintage Locomotive Society and he was a founding director of the Midwestern Rail Association, the managing group operating the Winnipeg Railway Museum.
He also had a passion for cycling. In the mid-1970s he, along with sons Graham and Gord put their bikes on the train to Vancouver and then rode the Trans Canada Highway back to Calgary, an epic 600 mile journey along the CPR mainline through British Columbia. Several more trips followed over the years. All four children, along with many friends, discovered the joy of long distance cycling all over BC through some of Canada's finest scenery.
His last years were spent in the company of his many friends tending to the railway museum, riding his bike, and hosting Tuesday night operating sessions with Gary and Cliff on the railway downstairs.
On reflection, Norman said that he had a full and varied life among good friends, peers and colleagues as well as a treasured family that shared in many of his adventures. He was a valued friend, an even keeled voice of reason and generous with his time in company of both young and old. The family deeply appreciates the tributes we've seen and heard from people he knew, among them many students from both Dakota Collegiate and the R.C.A.F.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Siloam Mission or the Winnipeg Railway Museum.
A Celebration of Norman's life will be held on Tuesday, March 25 at 11:00 a.m. at St Mary's Road United Church, 613 St. Mary's Road.
Publish Date: Mar 22, 2025
NORMAN GRAHAM LEATHERS
We wish to announce the peaceful passing of Norman Graham Leathers, husband of 67 years to wife Patricia, father to Gordon, Barbara, Graham, and Maureen.
A Celebration of Life is planned and a longer obituary will be forthcoming at a later date.
Publish Date: Mar 1, 2025
As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Mar 01, 2025, Mar 22, 2025
Condolences & Memories (8 entries)
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I first met Norm while working for Hilt Friesen at Elmwood Hobbyworks about twenty years ago. Soft-spoken and extremely knowledgeable, Norm was the ideal co-worker and his many stories about his time as a flight instructor in the Canadian Air Force were enlightening and entertaining and Norm's humility and quiet competence greatly appreciated. From time with Harvards to Tudors Norm knew it and was pleased to share. I quickly came to value Norm as a friend with our talks and occasional visits to his home to run his justifiably-famous train layout as he explained his fascination with Pennsy rolling stock. Condolences to Pat and the family; I will miss Norm greatly. - Posted by: Frank Winkler (Co-worker and Friend) on: Apr 30, 2025
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I remember Mr. Leathers from the early days at Dakota. He and my dad - also a math teacher at the school - shared a common bond through their love of teaching and both having served in the RCAF. I am very sorry to read of his passing. Please accept my most sincere condolences. - Posted by: Duncan Malcolm (Former pupil) on: Mar 24, 2025
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Mr Leathers was a force to reckon with during my years at Dakota but he was a good teacher. I remember he was into trains and had seen him several times with his setup at various locations. He was a very nice man but firm and I enjoyed his classes. I’m very sorry for your loss and I will miss him. - Posted by: Wendy Hart (Flockton) 1975 graduate (Former student at Dakota collegiate) on: Mar 22, 2025
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My condolences to Pat and family. Norm will truly be missed. May God be with him till we meet again. - Posted by: Louise Dahle (Friend) on: Mar 22, 2025
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I was saddened to hear of Norm’s passing. I knew him when he was a flying instructor in the RCAF in Gimli in 1966. My sincere condolences to Pat and all the family. - Posted by: Norma Clory (Sharkey) (Friend) on: Mar 13, 2025
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On behalf of our family, we offer our condolences to Pat and he family. Norm was a good friend, a delightful companion, a font of knowledge and a true humanitarian. Whether it be a chat about politics, railway issues or the occasional bad pun, Norm was always there for his friends. We are all richer for having known him but poorer for his loss. May God grant light perpetual to shine upon him (and lots of model trains!). Mark and Renee Frederick - Posted by: Mark R. Frederick (friend) on: Mar 04, 2025
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Our condolences to Pat and family from my wife Sharon and I, on Norm's passing. I met Norm through the Winnipeg Railway Museum, when we served on the executive together for many years. He not only provided a solid financial direction for the Museum during a problematic period, but had a well-reasoned approach to the affairs of the Museum in general. I enjoyed his friendship during our time together. We had many a discussion on the future of the Museum and about our love of trains in general. - Posted by: Douglas W King (Friend) on: Mar 02, 2025
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Norm was a guiding light at the Winnipeg Railway Museum. He was always so helpful and his recommendations were so well thought out. I am richer for having had the chance to know and work with him as a volunteer on several projects and benefit from his positive and constructive nature. What a wonderful gentleman. - Posted by: Harold Davis (Friend) on: Mar 01, 2025