Longtime island resident Leo Paquin, 91, died peacefully Saturday, July 2, 2011, at Skagit Valley Hospital after a brief illness. He was born Jan. 24, 1920, in Walla Walla, to Leo L. and Bertha Whiteley-Paquin. He was raised and attended school in Walla Walla, where some of his extended family still resides.

In 1941, as many young men did, Leo enlisted in the U.S. Army and spent most of the World War II years in the European Theater. He served in the medical corps and often spoke fondly of the experience. On March 14, 1943, Leo married the love of his life, Margaret (Peggy) (Howe) in Topeka, Kan. They met at a USO dance! Peggy waited in Topeka while Leo served overseas as that was her home.

After his time in the military Leo and Peggy went to Wall Walla to find a home and work. An offer for work from a family friend brought the couple to Whidbey Island. Leo went to work for the U.S. Civil Service at Whidbey Island Naval Air Station toward the end of 1945 as a sheet metal worker, shortly after he went on to become a tool room mechanic, the position he held for the balance of his career. He retired from this work after 30 years of service.

Beyond his work, Leo was dedicated to his wife and his community. He had been a member of the Anacortes Elks Lodge 1204 beginning in 1956. He served as Exalted Ruler (President) in Anacortes in 1961-62. He served as District Deputy in 1966-67; during this time frame Leo was one of the instrumental players in the formation of the Oak Harbor Elks Lodge 2362 in 1967. He also served as Washington State Elks President in 1975-76, Grand Lodge Public Relations from 1981-86, Grand Lodge Advisor for the Northwest District and an Honorary Life Member of the Oak Harbor Lodge. He was also a member of the American Legion and a VFW life member.

Although Leo and Peggy were never blessed with children, they took on many roles supporting and mentoring others along the way. Many Elks became who they are because of Leo’s mentoring over the years. A couple of these are Marc and Liz deLeuze, who then became his caregivers for the last several years of his life.

Leo was preceded in death by his beloved wife Peggy, parents, and his sister, Helen Shallenberger. He is survived by Marc and Liz deLeuze; cousins Glenn and wife Hazel Whitley and Virgil and wife Ester Whitley, both couples from Walla Walla; niece in-law Beth Christensen and husband Rick of Kingston, Tenn.; and nephew in-law William Howe of Sweetwater, Tenn.

There will be a memorial to celebrate Leo’s life held at his favorite place, the Oak Harbor Elks Lodge 2362, on Saturday, Aug. 6, at 1 p.m. The memorial service will be preceded by a private urn burial. Leo requested that memorials be made in his name to the Washington Elks Therapy Program.

Arrangements were entrusted to Burley Funeral Chapel where friends may go online at www.burleyfuneralchapel.com to sign a guest register and leave memories for the family.