Leonard Arthur Short 1957 — 2017

Leonard Arthur Short

October 18, 1957 – August 14, 2017

On Monday, August 14th I lost the love of my life, Len, to cancer.  Len was diagnosed with Stage 4 colon cancer in November 2010.  With Len’s positive attitude he was an inspiration to everyone and became known as “the miracle man” after enduring 99 chemotherapy sessions.  We were blessed with 6 plus years of continuing to live each day after his diagnosis to the fullest with smiles and humor.  Len will leave a huge hole in many hearts, including mine.  I am proud to have called him my husband.

Len is survived by his wife Heather, mother Vera, brother Vernon Jr., sister Marilyn (Roger) Mounsey, brother Ray (Teri).  Nieces Adina, Alanna, Shawna (Darryl), Allison, Jamie, Erin and Cate and Uncle Earl (Joan),  Len was pre-deceased by his father Vernon.

Len’s in-laws also played a major part in his life.  Dorothy (Jack), David (Carol), Jack, Randy (Cindy), Steve (Christiane,) Dave Junior (Dawn) and Jeremy, Julia, Tony and Allaina.

Len was born in New Westminster but spent most of his years living in Kamloops.  He considered himself a “jack of all trades” but operating heavy equipment was his passion.  He enjoyed his vacations to Las Vegas and Palm Springs and any time spent with family and friends.

His passing leaves a void in the lives of his many friends.  Their true friendship showed all through Len’s illness and especially in the last few days of his life.  Too many to mention but you know who you are.

A special thanks to Goldie, Pastor Don, Dr. John Reid, Dr. Gabriel and staff at the Kamloops Cancer Clinic and the caring staff at Marjorie Willoughby.

A Celebration of Len’s life will take place on Saturday, August 26th at 1:00 at the Summit Drive Church, 1975 Summit Drive, Kamloops with Pastor Don Maione officiating.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Marjorie Willoughby Snowden Memorial Hospice Home in Len’s memory.

We are all better human beings for having known Len.

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35 Tributes

  1. Leslie
    Posted August 15, 2017 at 7:12 pm | Permalink

    Remembering the laughter and teasing
    The smile of a blessed man who made
    All the lives he touched just a little better
    A wonderful funny and loving man.

  2. Cathy Cuglietta
    Posted August 16, 2017 at 1:06 am | Permalink

    Heather I am so very sorry to hear of Len’s passing. Was just thinking about him the other day and wondering how he was doing. My deepest and sincerest condolences to you and your family, he will be missed by all.

  3. Dona Saunders
    Posted August 16, 2017 at 1:09 am | Permalink

    Heather, a beautiful story of the past 6 plus years together. You were each blessed with one another. Must not leave out Donner and the love and affection he had for Len and now you. My heart goes out to you and your family.
    Love and prayers,

    Dona

  4. Anna
    Posted August 16, 2017 at 1:19 am | Permalink

    Heather and family;
    My sincerest condolences to you and your family. Len was such a wonderful person. Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this time.

    Anna Bartucci-Farias

  5. George Sun
    Posted August 16, 2017 at 9:13 am | Permalink

    Heather,

    Len and I used to celebrate birthday together every year. I still remember those wonderful moments. Len is a kind person with warm heart and generous hands. His life inspires me of true love to the people around me. Len will live in my heart for ever.

  6. Ajay Caleb
    Posted August 16, 2017 at 10:45 am | Permalink

    Heather, our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this time. He will be cherished and remembered as a good friend.

  7. Linda and Diana
    Posted August 16, 2017 at 11:55 am | Permalink

    Heather,

    We are so sorry for the loss of your beloved Len. He always brought laughter into our lives and love in our hearts. His positive and giving nature during his life was an inspiration to us all.

    Love, Linda and Diana

  8. Audrey Hilliard
    Posted August 16, 2017 at 12:41 pm | Permalink

    What a fabulous love story, so glad you were able to live it with the love your life. So sorry for your loss Heather.
    With love,
    Audrey

  9. Norman Thompson
    Posted August 16, 2017 at 2:42 pm | Permalink

    Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family as we celebrate Len’s life. Norman and Lori

  10. Cathy Vass
    Posted August 16, 2017 at 2:59 pm | Permalink

    Heather, I’m so sorry for your loss. Len was such a wonderful and positive man. Such an inspiration to all who crossed his path. He will truly be missed. Love to you Heather.

  11. Marilyn Meidinger
    Posted August 16, 2017 at 5:39 pm | Permalink

    Heather, it is so hard to express into words how I feel about the loss of Len. We were both experienced our life altering problems & It made me feel like I wasn’t in it alone. He was such a delightful man, calm, cool & collected. The love he felt & had for you is a amazing story in itself. You were a very lucky couple to experience the years you had together. Some people never experience that. My thoughts & love are with you Heather.

  12. Cheryl Bara
    Posted August 16, 2017 at 5:44 pm | Permalink

    So sorry to hear this, and for your loss Heather. Len was a wonderful man and will be dearly missed. Big hugs and lots of love to you. Xoxoxo

  13. Dianne Keir
    Posted August 16, 2017 at 7:37 pm | Permalink

    My thoughts and prayers are with you at this time. Every time I saw the two of you he had an awesome smile and was someone you knew was happy for every moment. Love and hugs to you

  14. cyenthia robertson
    Posted August 16, 2017 at 7:42 pm | Permalink

    Heather i am so sorry to hear of Len passing. he was a very old dear friend, I am so gratful that i saw him last year at the grad reunion, and meet you again, sending you strenght , hugs and love.
    Cyenthia Robertson

  15. Veronica Eggins
    Posted August 16, 2017 at 8:21 pm | Permalink

    My deepest condolences to you and the family. Len was my cousin and I have many happy childhood memories of us growing up.
    Veronica

  16. Arlene Paul
    Posted August 16, 2017 at 8:45 pm | Permalink

    Heather, I am so sorry for your loss. You were clearly blessed to have such a strong love and an amazing life together. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers.

  17. Jennifer Gavriel
    Posted August 16, 2017 at 9:05 pm | Permalink

    I feel very blessed to know Len, he was a lovely and caring man. I am sorry for your loss, he will be missed terribly and my thoughts and prayers are with you Heather.

    Jen

  18. Connie and Norman
    Posted August 16, 2017 at 9:06 pm | Permalink

    Heather
    We will miss Len.
    You are in our thoughts and prayer.
    Love
    Connie and Norman
    Shayleen Chenel

  19. Brenda Nickson
    Posted August 16, 2017 at 9:51 pm | Permalink

    I am so sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. I will always remember Len AS A ROCK. He was so thoughtful and kind when i lost my sister to cancer.

  20. Michele Acres
    Posted August 17, 2017 at 6:57 am | Permalink

    So sorry Heather for your loss. Thoughts and prayers to you and family. Big hugs

  21. Greg Marshall
    Posted August 17, 2017 at 10:42 am | Permalink

    I am so sorry to hear of Len’s passing. I will always remember his smile and positive attitude. Please know that you are in my thoughts.

  22. Pete Lahucik
    Posted August 17, 2017 at 3:18 pm | Permalink

    I had not connected with Len for some years now, as I moved to Ontario in 2006. I had the pleasure of working with Len back in the late 70’s at Afton Mines. Back then he was a great guy and was always smiling when I ran into him over the years. My deepest condolences. Len was a great man !!

  23. Ruth and Ray
    Posted August 18, 2017 at 8:59 am | Permalink

    You are in our thoughts and prayers. You and Len had what many people can only hope for. He will be missed and remembered by everyone who knew him.

  24. Andy Anderson
    Posted August 18, 2017 at 9:55 am | Permalink

    Gone but not forgotten, Leonard.
    I never met a kinder, gentler, more honest man. He was a true friend.
    Sorry for your loss, Heather. He drew his strength from your love, and was always proud to say so. He really was one of a kind.

  25. Mary Strandt
    Posted August 19, 2017 at 11:57 pm | Permalink

    Heather I am so very sorry to hear of Len’s passing. Such an inspiration to all who crossed his path.
    Mary

  26. Deanna Coates
    Posted August 21, 2017 at 6:43 am | Permalink

    Heather, so sorry to hear of Len’s passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
    Deanna and Derry

  27. Shelley Roerslev
    Posted August 21, 2017 at 1:06 pm | Permalink

    Dear Heather, I am so sorry to hear about Len.
    What a great fight he put up. And to have 6 more years.
    It was so great to see him these last few years. And to reconnect with you guys. My heart goes out to you. Please if you want to get a coffee or something, please call me.
    Shelley (McQuay) (Consolidated)

  28. Sandra Fritz
    Posted August 22, 2017 at 3:16 pm | Permalink

    Hello Heather. Len was a valued colleague and friend, and the Kamloops staff in particular will miss him very much. I was lucky to spend a fair bit of time in the Kamloops office, and thought very highly of Len, and his contributions to whatever we were working on. I’m so sorry for your loss, and hope you are comforted with wonderful memories of your years together. I admire Len and you for the courage and fortitude through all the challenges the past years. We can all learn a lesson on a life well lived. You’re in my thoughts.

  29. Sheryl M. Hinds
    Posted August 23, 2017 at 9:41 am | Permalink

    Dear Heather, The void one feels after losing someone as special as Leonard would be deep. There is no doubt he will be missed by so many who knew him well enough to know what a bright light he was. His sense of humour and doing for others were his greatest gifts I had the honour of witnessing. Many blessings in the days ahead, Heather, for you and family and friends. His candle still burns brightly as the angel who watches over us all now.

  30. Aldo
    Posted August 23, 2017 at 2:58 pm | Permalink

    Heather, I am so sorry for your loss. It’s so true that “we are all better human beings for having known Len”. The memory of a good person is a blessing and I feel very blessed of having the opportunity to work with Len. My thoughts are with you.

  31. Amber
    Posted August 25, 2017 at 1:32 pm | Permalink

    Heather, I have been thinking of you so much, the past 6 years and even more as of late. Just seeing the posts above is such a reminder that knowing Len was a gift, and you knew him best. May that love and knowing live on strong in your heart, where it will always stay. May it comfort you. Please know how loved you are by many and many of us here to stand with you during these times. Hugs, Amber and family.

  32. Allen Prost
    Posted August 26, 2017 at 12:11 pm | Permalink

    My deepest condolences Heather and Len’s family. Len was a true friend and it was a privilege to have known him; he was a positive influence for us all.

  33. Will Parei
    Posted August 29, 2017 at 6:20 pm | Permalink

    Heather, I am so sorry to hear about Len. I always enjoyed spending time with you two and will always remember Len as the kind hearted person who was there to help others. My condolences to you and please know you’re in my thoughts, even from the other side of the world.

  34. June & Brian Barron
    Posted August 31, 2017 at 4:15 pm | Permalink

    Dear Heather, Vera, Marilyn and family…..it was with great sadness we read of Len’s passing and the will he had to carry on with his life; he was a real trooper. I know what it’s like to loose a sibling but their smile and voice never goes away in your heart. Sincerely condolences from June and Brian Barron and family…

  35. Tanda
    Posted September 4, 2017 at 10:52 pm | Permalink

    Well … there was school!
    There were reunions!!
    There was that day on the tarmac!!
    I hugged Len and told him we’d see him at the 60th birthday party!!
    And that we will … perhaps gone to touch, but not in presence!
    Peace and strength to you and Len’s extended family Heather.
    Holding you in my thoughts!
    Tanda Terry Wynn

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