After a life well-lived with lots of love and with great determination to be a blessing to those around him, Leslie Raymond Tulloch, in his 95th year, and after a very brief illness, on Saturday, June 12, 2021, has gone to be with his Saviour and Heavenly Father.
Our Dad leaves behind his loving and devoted wife, Isabel (nee Inkster), after 72 years of marriage. He was so proud of ‘the redhead’ he married and he loved to recite love poems to her. Dearly loved by his 8 children: Bob (Beth), Bruce (Elizabeth), Mary (Peter), Ruth (Herb), Gerry (Mary Ann), Joan, Tim (Jayne), Barbara (Gordon), and he was thrilled to be ‘Grampa’ to 21 grandchildren and ‘Great Grampa’ to 15 great-grandchildren (so far).
Our Dad was the second born to the late Raymond and Dolena (nee Beaton) Tulloch, on January 21, 1927, in Gladstone Township near the Village of Iron Bridge. After the passing of his mother in 1931, his father married the late Jean Stover and the family grew. Dad is survived by his beloved sisters, Eleanor Carlson (late Ernest), and Margaret Doherty (late George), and younger brother Douglas (Susan). Predeceased by Sam (late Rose), James (Maureen), William ‘Bud’ (Barbara), and Lorraine. Son-in-law of the late Edgar and Margaret Inkster, and brother-in-law of the late Charlie (Elsie), the late Jack (Rolande), the late Dale (late Ann) and the late Ken and Robert. Dear Uncle of many nieces and nephews.
Being raised on a farm in rural Ontario, from a young age our Dad had many daily chores to be done before school. At the age of 15, he went to Sault Ste. Marie to work with a contractor and soon after, he was hired to help build coke ovens at the steel plant while attending school in the evening. In the fall, when he was 16, he hitchhiked to Toronto where for three winters he worked at a packing plant during the day while becoming an electrician at night school. Our Dad ensured he was back to work on the family farm for the summer. With a strong work ethic, he began his career as an electrician at the age of 18, building telephone lines and before long he was also building power lines and wiring houses in Iron Bridge. In 1953, our Dad moved his young family from their home on the picturesque riverbank in Iron Bridge to Sault Ste. Marie where he began his 39 year career. He retired from the Public Utilities Commission, in 1992, and what he enjoyed most about his career was his ability to serve people.
We still marvel at how our Dad, along with our Mom, would spend his 3 weeks vacation driving across Canada in an old van and a tent trailer, with his 8 children, or camping somewhere near a lake, to ensure we would see the country and enjoy special times together. Eventually, our parents would take a few trips to explore Europe and to also meet up with relatives they had located in the Shetland and Orkney Islands of Scotland. For the past several years, they have spent winters in Florida with a community of new friends who share their love for God. Dad loved to recite poetry and he loved to read – especially his Bible. For many years, he spent hours clearing hiking and snowshoe trails and keeping them groomed for family and friends to enjoy. Dad also loved sailing on Basswood Lake, even when the wind stopped blowing, but what he enjoyed most was having family and friends join him there.
Our Dad had a heart for serving others and he committed to working diligently through the church and with a few charities for several years. Dad never wavered in his convictions, particularly regarding his faith and his family. Although he encountered some mobility issues that slowed him down a bit during the past three years, he didn’t complain but responded by smiling and saying, “Well, we’ll just make the best of it.” He continued to do yard work and to go for several walks each day and was always quick to greet a stranger with a smile and kind words. Dad remained positive and was sure to ask about others even as his health was declining. Our Dad lived by Luke 6:31, ‘Do to others as you would have them do to you,’ a verse his mother taught him as a young boy. Without hesitation, we know our Dad can now say, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day – and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for His appearing.” 2 Timothy 4:7-8. We love you Dad.
With COVID restrictions in place, there will be a private service on Friday, June 18, 2021 at Bethany Baptist Church, Pastor Dan Gabor officiating. Interment Carlyle Cemetery, Iron Bridge. Friends are invited to view the service online starting at 11:00 am on Friday, June 18, 2020 and can be viewed anytime up to 90 days. Go to www.funeraweb.tv and select Leslie's name to view the service. Many thanks to those entrusted with his care at Sault Area Hospital, specifically Drs Kendall, Cassalman, and Apostle and the wonderful nurses Dad called his ‘Angels in the Night.’ In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Christian Salvage Mission, Bethany Baptist Church, or Sault Area Hospital. Arrangements entrusted to the Arthur Funeral Home - Barton & Kiteley Chapel (492 Wellington St. East 705-759-2522). Please visit www.arthurfuneralhome.com to leave a message of condolence as a keepsake for the family.