Obituary of Les Donaldson

November 13, 1946 – Calgary, Alberta

October 31, 2024 – Calgary, Alberta

 

It is with a heavy heart I announce the peaceful passing of my twin brother, Lesley ‘Les’ Thomas Donaldson, on Thursday, October 31, 2024, at the age of 77 years.

 

Born in Calgary, AB, on November 13, 1946, Les spent his early years working for Western Pump. He was a car enthusiast, loved spending time with family for wonderful weekly dinners, and visiting the family farm to goose hunt with his dad and brother.

 

Les’ life was a reflection of the poem "Footprints in the Sand", which reminds us that even in the toughest times, we are never truly alone.

 

He will be dearly missed by his twin brother, Len; his sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law; and his nieces and nephews.

 

Les was predeceased by his parents, Isabell and Tom; his nephew, Shaun; and his brothers-in-law, Alan and Mike.

 

Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared and viewed with Les’ family here.

 

In living memory of Lesley Donaldson, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Calgary Crematorium, 3219 – 4th Street NW, Calgary, AB, T2M 3A6, Telephone: 403-299-0111.

 

One night I dreamed a dream.

As I was walking along the beach with my Lord.

Across the dark sky flashed scenes from my life.

For each scene, I noticed two sets of footprints in the sand,

One belonging to me and one to my Lord.

 

After the last scene of my life flashed before me,

I looked back at the footprints in the sand.

I noticed that at many times along the path of my life,

especially at the very lowest and saddest times,

there was only one set of footprints.

 

This really troubled me, so I asked the Lord about it.

"Lord, you said once I decided to follow you,

You'd walk with me all the way.

But I noticed that during the saddest and most troublesome times of my life,

there was only one set of footprints.

I don't understand why, when I needed You the most, You would leave me."

 

He whispered, "My precious child, I love you and will never leave you

Never, ever, during your trials and testings.

When you saw only one set of footprints,

It was then that I carried you."