LEOPOLD REX PERERA
A World War II veteran who served in the British army passed away peacefully in Toronto recently. He was a nonagenarian and lived to a ripe old age of 94 years.
He was born in Negombo, Ceylon (now Sri Lanka). After completing his studies he was a medical apprentice under a Dutch Doctor Dr. Vandastraten who was the judicial Medical officer in Kandy in the early 1930s.
He always got my dad involved when performing post mortems. My dad had the rare privilege of accompanying his guru when convicts were hanged at Bogambara Prisons. When the World War II broke out, he joined the Medical corps of the British Army and cared for the sick and injured. His devotion to duty during the Japanese raids on Ceylon earned him many medals.
When the World War II came to an end, he joined the tea plantation sector and worked at El-Tab group, Passara for over 25 years, a picturesque area in the Uva province, My dad was a spry athlete and could trudge many miles, climb steep hills and indulge in hunting and fishing.
He was a crack shot and trained his three sons to be good marksmen. Horse-racing and playing bridge also fascinated him. He came to settle down in Canada in the evening of his life with his wife Selina Beatrice who predeceased him. He was employed with the
Canadian Corps of Commissionaires in Toronto for six years. He was forever grateful to the War Veterans Department and the staff at Sunnybrook Hospital for their support and care during the later stage of his life.
Leopold Rex Perera had a progeny of seven children, twelve grand children and eleven great grand children. May perpetual light shine upon him and may he rest in peace.
By Shelton Perera – Sri Lanka
OBITUARY
Leopold Rex Perera, World War Two veteran (Ceylon) Sri Lanka, peacefully passed away in Toronto, Ontario on October 11, 2010 to be united with his Creator at the age of ninety- four years. He is the beloved husband of late Selina and loving father of Shelton & Merle, Anton & Celine, Derrick & Sirima, Consy & late Emil Pandithakoralage, Maureen & Alick Saputantri, Ivy & late Ivan Hoole,
Chris & Priya Belleth. Grandfather of Arjuna & Samantha, Ronali, Rev. Sr. Dinalika, Praneeth, Thamali, Shashith, Shinoli, Thushara, Chrysanthi, Brian & Marsha. Great-grandfather of Abby, Isaiah, Anna, Sophie, Lindy, Michelle, Tishni, Nithuni, Dithni, Josaiah and Andrew. Brother of late Wally (Observer Photographer), late Joe and Kinsley. Visitation was held on Friday, October 15, at McDougall & Brown Funeral Home and the Funeral Service was held at St. Martin De Porres Roman Catholic Church Burial took place at Restheaven Memorial Gardens.
