It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Leonard Rodrigues on January 10th, 2026, in Burlington, ON, Canada with his beloved family by his side.

Leonard, born to John and Lucy Rodrigues on  November 6th, 1956, in Mumbai, India, was a loving husband, devoted father, a romantic, natural athlete and inherent prankster, all encompassed in a big, beautiful, gregarious personality. Leonard enjoyed music, sports and was always well informed of the latest world news. Most importantly, Leonard extended his unconditional love to all he cared for.

Leonard studied at St. Mary's High School Mazagoan, Mumbai, India, followed by an apprenticeship at Naval Dockyard Bombay. He was a strong athlete, participating in track and field, winning 100 meters sprint races and relay events at interschool championships while also playing soccer and field hockey.

Upon completion of his apprenticeship, he sailed and travelled around the world as a diesel mechanic for over 9 years, underscoring his great sense of wonder and adventurous spirit. When he sailed while working with Cunard and Mobil Oil Shipping his sails took him across the globe, from Russia to New Zealand, Rotterdam to Japan, and Hawaii to Argentina. During these global escapades, he embarked on a new and exciting journey with an old acquaintance from back home in Byculla, Winifred Mendes. Leonard somehow managed to charm her into spending the rest of their lives together, and on November 8th, 1990, in Dubai, surrounded by family and friends, she became his bride.

So began their lovely life together as a family, welcoming first their son, Lynden, and then their daughter, Leanne. The adventures only continued and together they immigrated to Canada to build a new life filled with hope, possibilities and opportunities. In Canada, when life gave the family opportunities Leonard rose to every occasion. He never hesitated to pack up and move for a better opportunity for the family. When living in Ontario '96-2000 he worked with IPEX, then moved to St. Albert, Alberta from 2000- 2003 and worked with FlowServe. Leonard shared his sense of adventure with his family by taking them on road trips, from Los Angeles to New York. To better support his love of travel, Leonard bought his dream car in 2001, a Silver Mustang Convertible. Boy! Did he treat that machine like gold!

In 2003, Leonard, Winifred and their children returned to Ontario, where he last worked as a technician at Goodrich Landing Gear. Leonard and Winifred settled in the countryside, and he had drawn up plans to grow fruit trees and tap maple syrup on his two-acre country backyard. He enjoyed riding his John Deer lawn mower with a beer in his hand while landscaping. That was his idea of living!

In 2010, Leonard suffered a massive cardiac arrest, resulting in severe brain injury. Against all odds, Leonard remained a fighter and survived. Despite the immense consequences and resulting limitations of his condition, his will to live never wavered. With the combined strength of Leonard and his dedicated and loving wife, he was able to witness his children's milestones and achievements,  from his children's graduations to his daughter's wedding.  In addition to Leonard having been there every step of the way for his children, he was able to travel the world once again with his wife, on their long-planned trip to Goa in 2023. Not to be underestimated, are his invaluable contributions to the imperative research for persons and families who share in what was his lived experience.

Leonard was a beautiful & precious human being. A man filled with joy for life and love of family. He was blessed to have been surrounded by family and friends and this sense of community, continue to be cherished to this day.

We want to thank our family for their unwavering support all through especially these past 16 years: Anil, his brother and constant rock during the last 16 years of his life, Aloma, his wife and sister-in-law, and their devoted children Andre, Allan, Alexis. His sister-in-law Anita and her husband Keith Fernandes, and their children Rhea, Daryl and Denis and his wife, Stacey. Finally, from our family in India, his sister-in-law, Sister Wilma Mendes, sister-in-law Wendy and husband, Ignatius Monteiro, and their children Amanda and Igor.

We would also like to express our gratitude to the many medical and care professionals who have looked after Leonard's health and well-being: Dr. Damboragama, Dr. Cuddy, Dr. Christink, the medical staff at Brantford General Hospital (Brantford) and Joseph Brant Hospital (Burlington), the many massage, speech and physical therapists that worked with him and the staff at Maple Villa Long Term Care for their care for him in the last years of Leonard's life.

In addition, we are grateful for the privilege and honour given to Leonard when he participated in ground-breaking research with Dr. Ryan D'Arcy (Simon Fraser University) and Dr. Adrian Owen (Brain and Mind Institute, Western University).

Lastly, but certainly not least, to all of his friends and acquaintances and anyone who spent any time with him, whether visiting, calling or video chatting, we extend our heartfelt and deepest thanks.  Because you made time for Leonard, we are all so much better for it.

As Leonard embarks on his new heavenly adventure, we extend an invitation to bid him farewell. His visitation will be held Saturday, January 17th, 2026, 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM at Kopriva Taylor Community Funeral Home, 64 Lakeshore Road West, Oakville, ON, followed by his Funeral Mass at 1:30 PM at St. Michael's Catholic Church, 181 Sewell Drive, Oakville, ON.

A livestream of the Funeral Mass can be found at this zoom link: Leonard

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In lieu of flowers, we encourage those interested to consider a donation to the Healthy Brain Foundation , and/or send a cheque to the Brain Injury Research Foundation, Canada Neurosciences Inc. 6 Carriage Hill Crescent, London, ON N5X 3N4, to support work that has provided so much hope to Leonard, his family and others like them.