LEONARD EDWIN KOSIEC
November 7, 1943 – December 8, 2012
Leonard was born to Louis Julian and Mary Kosiec of Fernie. Leonard graduated from Fernie High School in 1961. He earned a Bachelor of Education (Elementary) from the University of Victoria in 1968. He earned a Master of Education in Teaching and a Master of Education in Special Education from Gonzaga University in Spokane, Washington, in 1981. He continued to pursue his education and earned a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Leadership in 1988.
He began his teaching career in Michel-Natal Elementary School in 1964. He taught in Invermere, B. C. from 1965-1967. He came to Fernie in 1968 and retired in 2001. After his retirement; however, he continued to be active in education until 2011.
During his teaching career, he was well respected in the Fernie District Teachers’ Association and the British Columbia Teachers’ Association. He served as a union representative on behalf of teachers and as a member of the bargaining team for many years. His compassion for his fellow teachers and experience serving as a union representative and bargaining team member led him to study in depth the needs of workers and their conditions in the workplace. He is recognized for his work concerning a Holistic Stress/Burnout Treatment for Workers in Fernie, B. C.
Leonard was also very community and civic minded. He was a member of the New Democratic Party and held several offices for the Kootenay East Constituency. He was a member of The Royal Canadian Legion Branch 36 and devoted much service to the Legion portion of the Cemetery. He belonged to the Elks. He was active in the Canadian Cancer Society. He was a founding member of the Elk Valley & South Country Health Care Coalition, the Fernie Nordic Society, Fernie Arts Theatre Ensemble Society, Tenth Avenue Annex Park Committee, and the Fernie Heritage Cemetery Restoration Society.
Leonard was a person of strong faith and guided in all walks of his life by Christian principles. He served as both junior and senior warden of Christ Church/Anglican in Fernie.
Leonard loved his family and family life. He is survived by his wife, Barbara McFarlin-Kosiec and his son, James McFarlin-Kosiec who remember him for his love, humor, and generosity.
In memory of Leonard, donations may be made to the Fernie Heritage Restoration Cemetery Society, P.O. Box 1275, Fernie, BC V0B 1M0. Messages of condolence may be made to the family at www.cherishedmemoriesfs.com Arrangements entrusted to Cherished Memories Funeral Services Ltd.