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Vincent Leighton D'arcy McCooey

August 6, 2021

W4D9Q1T2-20210818084142

December 5, 1934 - August 6, 2021
Our family is heartbroken to announce the passing of Leighton McCooey. He left this world suddenly at the age of 86 on Friday August 6 while watering his garden, which he loved to do.
He leaves behind to mourn his passing, his beloved wife Jocelyn (Tootsie), daughter Theresa (Stewart), son Mike (Debbie), daughter Brenda (Scott), son Larry and son Lloyd (Jocelynne).
He was lovingly known as "Buddy" to his grandchildren - Greg (Marsha), Cathy (Zak), Kim (Chris), Aaron, Joshua, Justin (Tricia) and Tyler and also his great grandchildren Caley, Trent, Bryce, Ava and Ella. Leighton also leaves behind a vast extended family in eastern Canada.
Leighton was born in Grand Falls, New Brunswick in 1934 to Edward and Bertha McCooey and was 1 of 8 children. He joined the Royal Canadian Air Force at the age of 17 in 1951 and after doing his basic training at CFB Borden (boot camp) he was then posted to Germany.
When he returned to Canada in 1955 he was posted to CFB Comox where he met his wife Jocelyn. They were married in 1956 and had 2 children before being posted to St. Bruno in Quebec for 2 years. The family was posted back to CFB Comox where they settled in Royston and had 3 more children.
In 1971 Leighton retired from the air force as a sergeant and went on to start a new career as an electrician and subsequently started his own business, McCooey Electric which he ran until he retired.
Leighton was married to Jocelyn for 65 years this last April, they had a marriage that stood the test of time and set an example for his children on what it meant to be a life partner. He had five children but was a mentor and father figure to many others that often or not led to more than one extra place at the kitchen table on any given night. Even as adults, many of his children's friends that had looked to him as a father figure would often seek him out for advice on navigating such things as purchasing a home, household repairs and of course electrical advice. He was also always quick to jump in and help guide his fellow armed forces retirees when they were trying to navigate applying for services from veterans affairs.
Leighton was a member of several organizations including, Hiram Masonic Lodge No. 14, Order of Eastern Star, Florence Chapter No. 53 and the Fraternal Order of Eagles No. 3099. He loved to serve his community and socialize with his many peers.
Thank you to all of our extended family and many friends that have reached out to the family at this time, your kind words and support have meant the world to all of us.
Please join us for a celebration of Leighton's life on:
Thursday, September 2, 2021 from 1pm to 4pm
CRI Hall, 2665 Dunsmuir Avenue,
Cumberland, BC
Please come and share your stories and memories because anyone that knew Leighton would tell you that socializing with friends and family was his favourite thing to do of all!
In lieu of flowers please consider donating to the Comox Valley Special Olympics, BC Heart and Stroke Foundation and the Canadian Cancer Society, BC.

Service Details

Celebration of Life
Thursday, September 2, 2021
1:00 PM
CRI Hall, 2665 Dunsmuir Avenue, Cumberland


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