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1960 Leif 2025

Leif Laakso

January 29, 1960 — January 24, 2025

It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of Leif Mark Laakso, who left us on January 24th, 2025, just shy of his 65th birthday. Following complications from emergency surgery on January 9th, the best efforts of the medical team could not save his life. Leif succumbed to his injuries in their home with his wife Inge beside him.

Leif was born in Kingston, Ontario, on January 29th, 1960. His parents and grandparents soon moved to Toronto, taking advantage of the benefits of the big city. Sports in Canada means hockey, moving on from the backyard rink with Dari to “The Little Pie Shop” Team to the North Toronto Hockey Association to playing in the Metro Toronto Hockey League (MTHL) for Aqua Marine AA. One of most memorable moments came at McCormick Arena, where Leif scored a ‘Gordie Howe Hat Trick’—a rare combination of scoring, fighting, and assisting in a single game. Leif repeated the story to Inge when walking by that arena.

Leif’s passion for sports extended to softball, where he played for the Allenby and Glenview teams, both of which went on to become City Champs. Leif enjoyed track and field, and many fond memories were made with family during school days at Allenby PS, Glenview Sr. PS and later North Toronto Collegiate. His athletic dad had the picture of Leif in the Aqua Marine jersey permanently displayed in his office until retirement. Golf was another passion they shared. Leif shared countless rounds with his father, a bond that was exemplified in their last outing together at Winged Foot Golf Course in Mamaroneck, NY. Leif and Dari had rollicking memories of the Don Valley Golf Course too.

Leif was in the Toronto Symphony Youth Orchestra, Symphony Canada (summer orchestra made up of primarily U of T performance students), NTCI band and Banff Centre Orchestra, Banff School of the Arts.” His loss of fingering dexterity on the clarinet was a foreshadowing of health problems which plagued his adult life. It cause him to switch from music to chemistry at the University of Toronto. Upon graduation Leif was at the University of Waterloo, then in 1987, just married, they moved to the United States to pursue a Phd in chemistry at the University of Pennsylvania. Inge grew a freelance illustration business. First they lived in “Center City” then bought a house in East Falls and a schnauzer named Gunnar. They explored the rich history of the area and visited Valley Forge. Dozens of historic markers proclaim “George Washington slept here”. Who does THAT?

Leif found himself increasingly drawn to the question of faith and the need of a church home. They visited every denomination in the city. It was a profound experience. As a result of a visit to an LCMS church in Blue Bell, Pennsylvania, they encountered an endocrinologist, Dr. Ellen Buerklin. Leif was subsequently diagnosed with acromegaly leading to successful treatment and multiple surgeries in the years that followed. If they hadn’t returned to that church, they might never have known. They are grateful to Ellen for her accurate diagnosis but give all the glory to God!

Despite these challenges, Leif successfully published and defended his thesis, then was employed by Wyeth, later by Pfizer in drug discovery. His font of strength was now his faith in God, evident in both his personal and professional life.

A longtime agnostic, he began delving into Christian theology and scripture. He was an active member of the church and took part in numerous Bible studies. For several years, Leif and Inge founded and served an LCMS mission in Prince Edward County. This year, he was in the midst of reading through the Bible for the seventh time.

Leif is survived by his wife, Inge, his mother Lila (96 years) and his extended family; his cousin Dari and his wife Natasha Popovic, nephews Alec and Ivan, his cousin Dee and her husband Bob Fenton, nephews David and Michael, cousin Dale McDonough, niece Kaija, second cousin Ginger nephew Byron, second cousin Dolores Niskanen, longtime friend Salme Julia.

He is also beloved by his more recent friends, sharing their passion and interests, as well as their friends in the United States. A generous soul, Leif’s legacy of kindness and perseverance will live on. In honour of his life, those who wish to do so may donate to Lutheran Bible Translators Canada (LBTC.ca). The transformative work is spreading the Word and changing the world. Any amount of donation would be appreciated either through this funeral home or independently.

A memorial will be held to celebrate Leif's life, and his family invites you to visit his page to leave thoughts and memories in his honour. Thank you for joining us in this final act of friendship. 

Visitation will be held at Westminster Funeral & Reception Centre (5826 Bathurst St. between Finch and Steeles on the west side), located on the grounds of Westminster Cemetery. The family will receive guests on Friday February 7, 2025 from 4:00pm to 8:00pm. The Funeral Service will be held in the Trillium Chapel of Westminster on Saturday February 8, 2025 at 10:00am with burial to follow at Westminster Cemetery.

To send flowers to the family in memory of Leif Laakso, please visit our flower store.

Service Schedule

Past Services

Viewing

Friday, February 7, 2025

4:00 - 8:00 pm (Eastern time)

Westminster Funeral & Reception Centre

5826 Bathurst St, Toronto, ON M2R 1Y6

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Funeral Service

Saturday, February 8, 2025

10:00 - 11:00 am (Eastern time)

Westminster Funeral & Reception Centre

5826 Bathurst St, Toronto, ON M2R 1Y6

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Burial

Saturday, February 8, 2025

11:30am - 12:00 pm (Eastern time)

Westminster Cemetery & Mausoleum

5830 Bathurst St, Toronto, ON M2R 1Y6

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