Leonard John Thong

Leonard fought a courageous and difficult battle against aggressive small-cell colon cancer that was diagnosed in early April 2026. He passed away peacefully at Royal Columbian Hospital on May 5, 2026, at the age of 47, surrounded by family and friends.

Leonard was a very loving and devoted husband to Tina, father to Kaylee, son to Christina, brother to Jennifer (Kevin), and uncle to Alex and Kaiya. He took care of everything inside and outside of home promptly and with meticulous detail. Friends know him as a creative and intelligent problem solver that could fix everything by learning on the spot. He was a deeply valued colleague and friend whose presence touched many people across the broader Simon Fraser University community.

For more than 22 years, Leonard was a dedicated member of the Faculty of Education community at Simon Fraser University and prior to that, 4 years with Student Services and FASS, contributing not only through his work, but through the way he carried himself each day. He was known for his kindness, humility, and patience — qualities that left a lasting impression on everyone who had the privilege of working with him. His steady presence, thoughtful approach, and genuine care for colleagues and team members helped shape the faculty in countless ways. Beyond his immense professional contributions, Leonard will be remembered for the relationships he built and the quiet impact he made in the lives of others. He approached his work with integrity and his interactions with compassion. He will be deeply missed by all who had the privilege of calling him a colleague and friend.

A memorial service to celebrate Leonard's life will be held on Monday, May 25, 2026, at 1:00 PM at Kearney Funeral Services, 219 6th St, New Westminster, BC V3L 3A3. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Royal Columbian Hospital Foundation.

To see Leonard's memorial service, please access the following link - Leonard Thong - Memorial Service