STEEL, LEONARD THOMAS Leonard Thomas Steel was born May 9, 1941, to parents Andrew Washington and Lewella Steel. He had four older siblings: Dorothy, Don, Jim and Ken. A cool cat teenager in the 1950s with a killer smile, he began a lifelong love of lively conversation, sharp clothes and smooth dancing.
He married Linda Ladouceur in 1959 and they had three children: Leonard Donald, Pamela and Lisa. He worked at Chrysler Canada, largely as a clerk, serving as a union steward for several years. He was a proud member of Local 444. One of his most memorable experiences with the UAW/CAW was going to California to stand with Cesar Chavez and the migrant farm workers. He was a passionate social democrat and supported the NDP throughout his lifetime. When he brought his kids to see Pierre Trudeau speak in Windsor, it was to heckle the then prime minister. He loved a good time. Some of the best times he shared with his children were playing euchre together with piqued competitiveness and great good humour. The laughter was epic.
He was married to Carole (Gasparini) for more than 30 years and they had a wonderful life together, travelling and spending winters in Florida. They shared their lives together fully in a marriage that was a true romance. “My ‘Baby Facers’ loved you yesterday, love you still, always have, always will.” From the time the union began building Solidarity Towers, he would bring his kids to the site, proclaiming he would live there. He looked forward to his “30 and out” retirement plan which set him up for decades of comfortable post-work years, for which he thanked the CAW. He always drove a Chrysler.
Leonard and Carole did move to Solidarity Towers, and it was their home for more than a decade. He worked for years on the deck committee and was always up for a chat with his neighbours.
Leonard passed away peacefully on June 25, 2021. He is survived by his wife Carole who dedicated herself to him and cared for him, his children and his daughter-in-law Barbara Landry and son-in-law Bill Coke. His grandchildren Kara, Eric and Avery Steel, and Violet and Amanda Steel-Coke, whom he loved dearly, will remember their grandfather always. He is also survived by his sister Dorothy and brother Ken, sisters-in-law Louise, Janet (Mickey), Jerri (Eddie), and many nieces and nephews. Cremation has taken place.