As you can imagine the family is devastated to announce that Neil Vernon Leeson, of Camrose, Alberta passed away on February 16, 2025 at St. Mary’s Hospital in Camrose Alberta. Neil was born in Halifax Nova Scotia on September 19, 1949. 

Upon graduation from high school he enrolled in flight school, earning his private pilot’s license at Halifax International Airport and then moved to Calgary, Alberta to pursue Aeronautical Engineering Technology at SAIT, graduating in 1975. He started his first job at Standard Aero in Winnipeg and while there also served as an Officer in Her Majesties Canadian Armed Forces (Reserves). Subsequently, he then moved to Calgary to take a job at Shell Canada where he began his Oil & Gas career, eventually earning his Professional Engineering (P. Eng) license with APEGA. His career in Oil & Gas spanned over 35 years with various companies and as an Engineering Consultant.

He travelled extensively, both personally and professionally, and was a passionate aviation enthusiast, political supporter of the UCP party and knowledgeable war historian. Neil chose Camrose, Alberta to spend his retirement years where he was involved in many activities at the Mirror Lake Seniors Center.  He made lots of friends and defended rigorously his self-proclaimed world crib championship.

Neil leaves behind his sisters, Melissa Stelter (Morris Reid) of Edmonton, who provided her unfailing love and support to him during his many medical visits and encounters over the past year as he struggled with cancer, his sister Bernice Leeson of Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, his only child, Christopher Leeson of Ft. Worth, Texas and his beloved cat, Mili, who now resides with Bernice in Dartmouth. He also leaves behind many relatives and dear friends which span coast to coast. 

Those that knew him or even just met him will remember the life of the party, the entertainer, organizer, caring and generous human being and pet lover.  The family wishes to thank the many professionals at St. Mary’s Hospital and the Cross Cancer Institute that cared for Neil, as well as Camrose Hospice and Camrose Home Care and Weber Funeral Home.

A Celebration of Life will be held in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia at 2:00 PM  Saturday July 5, 2025 at 80 Holtwood Court, roof top social room.

In lieu of flowers, we request donations be made in Neil’s honour to a local animal rescue/shelter or the Canadian Cancer Society.