George Leslie “Les” Balneaves

George Leslie “Les” Balneaves was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, veteran, craftsman, piper, and proud supporter of Winnipeg’s Scottish community.

Born during the Depression in Miami, Manitoba, Les grew up on the family farm, where he developed a lifelong love of nature and animals. His childhood companions included dogs, horses, and even pet owls.

In 1948, Les moved to Winnipeg, where he met Georgie, the love of his life. They married in 1952 and shared nearly 61 years of marriage. Together, they raised their son, Scott, and daughter, Lynda, and took great pride in their grandsons, Brian and Kevin.

Les faithfully served for 16 years with the Royal Canadian Ordnance Corps, 6 Ordnance Battalion. He rose to the rank of Staff Sergeant and was awarded the Canadian Forces’ Decoration in recognition of his years of honourable military service.

Determined to further his education, Les completed high school through evening studies at Daniel McIntyre and Churchill High School. He later trained as an appraiser and assessor and worked for more than 25 years with the City of Winnipeg Assessment Department. Known as the proud leader of “Sparky’s Gang,” he earned the respect and friendship of his colleagues before retiring in 1985.

A man of many practical talents, Les enjoyed woodworking, home renovations, and building things with his own hands. He even constructed a camper van that carried his family and their beloved Norwegian Elkhounds, Smokey and Silver, on memorable journeys throughout North America.

Les was deeply involved in Winnipeg’s Scottish community. He belonged to the St. Andrew’s Society of Winnipeg, the Royal Scottish Country Dance Society, and the Manitoba Highland Dancers Association. He played the bagpipes and worked alongside Georgie for several years at Folklorama’s Mug Pub Pavilion.

He was also active in Freemasonry, the Scottish Rite, and the Shrine. Following retirement, Les pursued a passion for genealogy, travelling throughout the British Isles with Georgie to research his ancestry, meet distant relatives, and deepen his connection to his family’s heritage.

Les passed away peacefully shortly before midnight on October 8, 2013, surrounded by his family.