Leo Patrick John Cheverie
1962-2023
Leo Patrick John Cheverie passed away peacefully surrounded by music and his loving family on Sept 7th, 2023 at the palliative care centre in Charlottetown PEI. Leo arrived weighing only 3lbs 11oz almost three months early on October 21st, 1962 (a feat he did not repeat again during his too short life) and was kept alive by a dedicated doctor in a small community hospital in Souris PEI (with help no doubt from the prayers of his parents, grandparents and extended family). Leo was an adventurer from an early age always wandering off and losing track of time as he explored nature around his home, which earned him a series of contraptions to try and keep him contained – all of which he quickly outsmarted to the exasperation of his long suffering mother (and possibly due to the benevolent intervention of his older siblings). He was quiet and studious throughout his early education until he went away to the University of Prince Edward Island in 1980, where his true extrovert personality was quickly revealed. Leo had a talent for connecting with others and making deep friendships wherever he went and often was the catalyst to bring people together, whether it be for a cause or a social event especially music. He spent tireless hours advocating for many social justice causes on PEI and beyond and was an avid labour union supporter throughout his long career at Robertson Library at UPEI. If there was a cause worth fighting for, you could always find Leo in the fray.
He had an avid interest in history and genealogy and was the keeper of the family history. If you ever needed to know how you were related to someone, Leo was the one to ask… it was often discussed there should be a PEI game show around this topic and Leo would be the obvious host.
He loved music and volunteered for many festivals across the island earning him a PEI Music Award for Volunteer of the Year in 2020. We have heard from many musicians over the last few weeks who expressed their gratitude at the support he has given them over the years and we thank them for giving him so much joy especially all those who gave bedside concerts in his final days.
Leo is predeceased by his parents Bernie and Anne Cheverie and his grandparents Fred and Mamie Cheverie and Patrick and Anne Jane Hennessey. Leo is survived by his siblings Karen (Don), Irene (Jim), Martin (Rika), Kelly, Gerard (Terri), Kathy (Darrin), and Rachael (Bernie) as well as his beloved nieces, nephews and the many wonderful friends who have been like family to Leo over the years. Our family is truly grateful for the wonderful care he received at the QEH (especially Dr. Jane Hennessey), the nurses and staff in Units 1 and 3 and the compassionate care of the doctors, nurses and staff at the Palliative Care Centre – his final days were comfortable and ‘busy’ as his many friends spent time at his bedside. To all of the people who came to visit, shared stories with us, and who truly loved our brother – we thank you from the bottom of our hearts. We should all be so lucky to have the time to tell those in our lives we love them when it’s our time to go. He treasured your friendship and we are so grateful that he spent his last days surrounded by so much love.
It should be no surprise to anyone that Leo wanted us to have a big party to celebrate his life with lots of music and laughter shared over a life well lived so we are working on pulling this event together closer to his birthday in October. In the meantime, we are planning a requiem mass at St. Columba Catholic Church in Fairfield PEI on Tuesday Sept 12th at 2pm followed by a reception at the Eastern Kings Recc Centre in Munns Rd, PEI. All are welcome and please feel free to share a story, music, or some words at the reception. In lieu of flowers, we will be accepting donations for the development of a bursary in Leo’s name over the coming months. But the best way to honour him, is to carry on his legacy and continue to stand up for what is right and just and always be kind to one another. Safe Home brother – your work here is done, but it will continue on in your spirit always.