Cecil McLeod

It is with great sadness that we announce the death of Cecil Chesley McLeod, cherished husband of Margaret McLeod and much-loved Father and Poppy. Born in Cornerbrook, Newfoundland on July 23, 1944, Cecil was raised in Newfoundland and carried a proud Newfoundlander sensibility his entire life. Cecil moved to Toronto as a young adult in 1965 and quickly became part of the burgeoning Yorkville music scene. A lifelong lover of music, Cecil spent his young adulthood patronizing the Yorkville coffee shops where Canadian folk artists such as Gordon Lightfoot, Joni Mitchell, and Buffy St. Marie began their performing careers. Cecil later met his wife, Margaret, and their first daughter, Allison, was born in 1967. In 1968, the young family relocated to Cornerbrook, Newfoundland, where their youngest daughter, Ruth, was born the following year. With their two young daughters in tow, Cecil and Margaret relocated their family back to Toronto in 1970 in search of employment opportunities. On the trip back to Toronto, Cecil spent the flight scouring the newspaper for job opportunities. The following day he applied as a bus driver for the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC). For the next 31 years, Cecil drove various bus routes in Toronto’s East End before transitioning to the 506 Carlton streetcar route. Always a friendly and talkative man, Cecil quickly became a passenger favourite and he shared a deep camaraderie with local streetcar riders. Following his retirement in 2001, Cecil spent his later years as a loving “Poppy” to his granddaughter, Olivia. For much of her school-age years, Cecil was a prominent figure in Olivia’s life, often providing rides to school and “secret” Jos Louis snacks. Cecil was also a devoted “Poppy” to dogs Solomon and Betty, and the cats (Jeffrey, Sophie and Chloe), with whom he shared a deep bond. Always a service orientated man, Cecil never hesitated to lend a hand and never shied away from offering his advice on the “right” way to do things. His vigour and willingness to help will be dearly missed. After a nine-month battle with cancer, Cecil passed away on October 6, 2023 in Toronto, Ontario. Cecil is survived by his wife of 56 years, Margaret McLeod, his daughters Ruth and Allison, his son-in-law David and his granddaughter Olivia. Cecil always shared joy and laughter with those around him and will be greatly missed by everyone who had the pleasure of knowing him.