October 3, 1926 - March 12, 2021
Len died peacefully at Ty Watson House on March 12, 2021 with daughter Cathy and companion, Fran by his side.
He was predeceased by daughter Connie in 1962 and wife Iris in 2009, and is survived by daughter Cathy Allen (Frank), granddaughters Connie Allen (Don), Jodi Perry (Darren) and Kari Bradley (Jason) and 8 great grandchildren: Sean, Molly, Hannah, Aaron, Jack, Grace, Matthew, and Evan. Len lived long enough to hold and get to know his great, great granddaughter Iris, named after his wife of 60 years.
Len is also survived by brother Grant in Edmonton and his loving companion Fran Carrier, who added much joy to his later years.
Len was born in Palmer, Saskatchewan in 1926 and spent his youth in Creston, B.C. He enlisted on his 18th birthday in 1944 and upon returning to Creston at the end of the war, he met and married Iris Beam. They moved to the Alberni Valley in 1949 where they raised their daughters.
Len worked in the woods in the Valley and the West Coast running heavy equipment, and founded his own company Wiens Contracting Ltd. in the 1960s. A "gentleman of the woods", Len loved to share his old time logging experience with his great grandkids, sharing and making memories for them with trips to MacLean's Mill.
Len and Iris danced through the 1960s and were founding members of the Alberni High Steppers.
For many years they enjoyed fishing, crabbing and prawning in the Alberni Inlet and Barkley Sound on their boat, the Conjo Girl, named after their granddaughters.
Gramma and Poppa to their granddaughters, who remember Caramilk bars, trips to DQ, Easter Egg hunts with Bunny tracks, playing crib, "Cat" Hats and the smell of diesel fuel.
Len remained curious and engaged throughout his senior years, baking cinnamon buns, making walking sticks, monkeywrenching and gardening, until his move to Abbeyfield in the Spring of 2020. Len travelled to New York City-twice-at the age of 85, where a highlight was seeing the closing bell at the New York Stock Exchange.
Len's family is grateful to Abbeyfield for making this past Covid year a much better one than it might have been. His sense of humour, friendliness and the sparkle in his eyes endeared him to the staff and residents alike. So many described him as a "gentleman". Thank you Gayla and Tracey, Dr. Woodley and Nurse, Gina for your kindness, compassion and support. The family also wishes to thank the amazing staff and volunteers of Ty Watson House for their care and attention in Len's last days.
Special thanks also, to Terry and Donna Goulding who were there for many years of friendship and support.
"Len loved well and was well loved"
The family will have a private gathering when Covid permits.