CODERRE, Leo Joseph
1935 – 2025
Leo Joseph Coderre of James River Bridge, Alberta, passed away peacefully at his home on Monday August 11, 2025, at the age of 90 years.

Leo was born in Shaunavon Saskatchewan, January 26 1935, the third of five sons born to George & Anna Coderre. The family moved to Rolling Hills Alberta and later moved to James River Bridge to begin building the family farm where they subsidized their income by logging, sawmilling and selling lumber. Leo attended the James River School before leaving the farm and moving to Calgary with his brother Omer, where they worked on several jobs together, including building on the Glenmore dam. He worked for Budd Brothers developing streets and lots in Bowness Calgary before eventually purchasing his first tracked dozer from Budd Brothers and started building his own farm on the half section of land to the west of his parents’ farm.

Leo and his brother Roger continued running the sawmill for several years while he was clearing land on his farm. He subsidized his farming income by clearing land for many of the neighbors and oilfield work before stepping away from cat work to focus on building his beloved black angus cattle herd and build a successful farm from the ground up, transforming dense bush into productive land where he continued to live, work and retire to his last day.

Leo was hard-working, energetic and could build or fabricate anything he needed. Throughout his life, Leo gave generously of his time and energy. He was a proud volunteer and advocate, earning recognition and honors from a wide range of organizations, including the Royal Canadian Legion, local hospitals, gun control and advocacy groups, sport shooting associations, and agricultural organizations. Leo was known by those close to him for his unapologetic and passionate defense of “the little guy.” He never hesitated to stand up to authority and remained a steadfast advocate for fairness and justice throughout his life. His voice, strength, and sense of conviction will be deeply missed.

Leo met and married his first wife Jackie, and had 3 sons Marc, Darcy & Ted. They were later separated and Leo eventually met Marge. They were married in 1983 and shared many happy years together on the farm until Marge’s passing in 2005. Leo met and married Marie in 2009 and they enjoyed peaceful and fulfilling golden years of life together, fully retired and socializing and dancing until Marie’s passing in late 2024.
.

Lovingly remembered by his sons; Marc Coderre and family of Summerland, British Columbia, Darcy Coderre of Red Deer, Alberta; Ted and Sue Coderre and family of Calgary, Alberta; his brother, Omer and Brenda Coderre and family of Rocky Mountain House, Alberta; his sister in law Anita Coderre of Calgary, Alberta; cousin Raymond and Margaret Coderre and family of Rocky Mountain House, Alberta; niece Lorena and Chris Mabley and family of Calgary, Alberta; niece Joyce Wilson and family of Calgary, Alberta; nephew Jason Coderre of Eckville, Alberta; step daughter Nanette and Dale Jones and family of Sedgewick, Alberta; step daughter Cathy and Ian Hazel and family of Three Hills, Alberta; step daughter Mary Husty and family of Calgary, Alberta; stepson Mike & Rob Bruce and family of Okanagan, British Columbia; step daughter Lynda & Frank Foley and family of Kelowna, British Columbia; and stepdaughter Lori and Graham Ross and family of Cochrane, Alberta; and many lifelong friends.

Leo was predeceased by parents George and Anna; brothers Armand, Roger and Roland; wives Marge and Marie; and nephew Dennis.

A Celebration of Leo’s Life will be held at the James River Community Hall, Range Rd 53, James River Bridge, Alberta on Sunday, September 14, 2025 at 1:00 p.m. Cremation entrusted to Heartland Funeral Services, Sundre, Alberta. Condolences, memories and photos may be shared and viewed at www.heartlandfuneralservices.com. Arrangements in care of: Heartland Funeral Services Ltd., 2A, 102 – 2 Street, Sundre, Alberta. Phone: 403-638-4393

• Date : 2025-08-20
• Location : (Sundre) LOCALLY OWNED AND OPERATED (Red Deer/Blackfalds/Eckville) www.ParklandFuneralHome.com & (Innisfail/Olds/Didsbury/Sundre) www.HeartlandFuneralServices.com