Leonard Ivan Bateman

It is with great sadness we announce the death of our father, Leonard Bateman, at the age of 79. Born April 17, 1943, in their home in the Benito area to Walter Ivan and Christina May Bateman, he passed away peacefully in hospital on June 22, 2022, after many years of battling cancer. We would like to thank all the medical staff for going above and beyond.
Leonard spent his life in Durban, working for Canada Post for 42 years before he retired. Leonard would return from working at the post office to tend to the family farm, which served generations of the Bateman family. He contributed in many ways to the community through board membership for the Durban Community Hall, Durban Cemetery, and the Durban Curling Rink. He spent many nights making and preparing the ice for regular curling and skating, as well as memorable curling bonspiels. Leonard also supported his neighbours and community by mowing lawns and clearing snow with the tractor. He was a member of the Royal Canadian Legion and served as Secretary Treasurer for Branch #228 where one could find him calling Bingo on many Saturday nights.
In his free time, Leonard enjoyed camping, particularly at North Steeprock Lake and Rocky Lake with his family and friends. He loved fishing and taught his children how to clean and cook fish. Leonard enjoyed spending time with his children and spent many days working at Kettle Hills Repair with his son, Barry, after he retired. Leonard also loved listening to Old-Time Polka music, both at live events and on the radio, and loved to dance a polka when his health allowed.
He will be dearly missed by his loving wife, Avis Bateman (nee Craig), and his five children: Donna Potts (Dwight), Brenda Gadsby (Scott), Barry Bateman (Corinne), Joyce Bateman, and Robert Bateman. He is survived by his sister, Fern Ellingson, and by his grandchildren, Barry Bresky (Cheyanne), Shay-Lynne Bresky, Candace Gadsby, Allison Gadsby, Adria Bateman, and Trae Bateman. He is also survived by his great-grandchildren, Isaac Bresky, Izaiah Bresky, Theia Bresky, Colvin Wilson, and Decker Hamelin. He is survived by many loving nieces and nephews.

 Leonard is pre-deceased by his first wife and the mother of his first three children, Myrna Bateman (nee Robinson), as well as his parents.

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