Richard Kenneth (Dick) Leach. March 30, 1942 – April 12, 2026
Dick Leach, known variously as “Dad,” “Pappy,” “Babe,” “Brewkiller,” and “Bro,” died peacefully on April 12, 2026 in Victoria, British Columbia at the age of 84. As she always was, his wife Sonja – the love of his life – was by his side at the end. His adoring sons Andrew and Colin were also with him in his final days sharing memories, jokes, and Neil Young songs as he slept.
He was predeceased some years ago by his parents Campbell and Eleanor and is survived by his beloved Sonja, Andrew and Colin and their partners Christine and Jill, his three grandchildren Owen, Juniper, and Bennett, his brothers Geoffrey and David, his sister Linda, and his stepsons Richard and Steven Savic and their families. Not to mention a lifetime of friends, colleagues, and fellow beer-lovers.
Dick was born in Montreal, educated at McGill University, and made his career with Molson Breweries, but his life was so much more than those basic facts.
He was a brewer and passionate about beer in all its forms. He was an avid skier (and a ski guide for people with physical challenges), hiker, climber, runner, walker, and cyclist. He was a motorcyclist and loved working on bikes and cars in the garage. He was a volunteer Coxswain with the Royal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue out of Comox, BC. He was a lifelong squash player until his knees and shoulder necessitated a switch to pickleball. He was a joker and a lover of pints and live music in the pub. He was a member of the Hash House Harriers for many years. He was an early adopter of home computing and enjoyed video games from the original Star Wars arcade game to Call of Duty 3. He liked science fiction movies, Monty Python, auto racing, classical music, and playing cards. He lived in six provinces between Quebec and BC. Perhaps above all these things, he was a dedicated husband and father, always prioritizing and supporting his loved ones in all their endeavors. Band parent, hockey dad, marathon cheerleader, teacher-of-skills, imparter-of-wisdom…the list goes on and on.
Dick will be missed by all who knew him, but his legacy of good humour, outdoor adventures, and relaxing Sundays will be carried forward by his family forever.
A Celebration of Life will be scheduled at a later date. Please support research into Parkinson’s Disease in your area, or for example at the Pacific Parkinson’s Research Institute in North Vancouver.
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