Leon (Leo) Szymanski

Leon Szymanski (“Leo”), 75 years old, of Ottawa, Ontario, passed away on Sunday, September 21, 2025, at the palliative care unit of Bruyère Health’s Saint-Vincent Hospital campus.

Leo was born on July 10, 1950, in Chatham, Ontario, to Polish immigrants Bazyl and Helen Szymanski. As a boy, Leo was given the nickname “Smiley” by one of the sisters at his grade school, Blessed Sacrament. He played accordion, which pleased his father, and plunged into sports, going on to captain Chatham Kent High School’s basketball team. After high school, Leo moved to Waterloo to pursue an engineering degree, but after a few semesters of lukewarm interest and lacklustre grades, he went on hiatus and hitchhiked across Canada, working a variety of jobs, including as a night watchman at the Banff Springs Hotel. He returned to Waterloo and the love of his life, Suzana (“Susan”), this time studying English Literature and earning a BA and a Master’s. Leo and Susan eventually settled down in Ottawa, where Leo worked as a technical writer/editor for many years at Nortel Networks, and later as an independent contractor in the public and private sectors.

Leo married Susan Jursza on June 3, 1978, and together they raised two children, Nathan (“Nate”) and Andrew (“Andy”). Leo was a family man through and through—a rock to his wife and sons. He was also a rink builder and hockey coach, a golfer, a fisherman, and a novice sailor. He ran marathons for 10+ years, and he loved to paint and write, publishing pieces of short fiction and poetry, and decorating the walls of the family home and cabin with his canvasses. Time at the family cabin on Devil Lake, surrounded by nature, was one of his greatest joys.

Leo aka Daddio aka GrandLeo is survived by his wife Susan; sons Nate (Beth) and Andy (Priya); his brother Aleks (Shellie); sister-in law Irene (Keith); his nieces Jessica, Jolene (Aaron), Katie (Roberto), and Jacqueline (Brandon); and his grandchildren Dominic, Rosemary, and Lawrence. He is preceded in death by his little sister Christine and his big brother Ted.

Leo will be remembered for his kindness, optimism, and humour. His last words to Susan were, “We’ve had a beautiful life. I regret that I have no regrets.”

A small memorial service will be held on Saturday, October 4, 2025. Close friends and family are invited to attend and share memories—please reach out to Nate, Andy, or Susan for more details.

The family wishes to thank hospital staff in the PCU at Saint Vincent’s Hospital for their high standard of personal care and support during Leo’s final weeks. Please consider donating in Leo’s memory to the Bruyère Health Foundation, with funds directed to support palliative care.