Leslie Michael Semenoff

The secrets of the universe were revealed to Les Semenoff on November 14, 2024.

Although his innate curiosity about the world around him, the galaxies beyond, and the potential of humanity marked him as a constant explorer and a student of life — Les was much, much more than that. Born in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, in the 1950s to Mike and Marge Semenoff, Les spent his 72 years on a quest to understand and appreciate his time here on Earth.

He was a philosopher, a builder and carpenter, an artist, a jewellery designer, an amateur astronomer, a dog breeder, a custodian, a federal employee, a food critic and pizza maker, a lover, a poet, a night owl, a royalty-earning musician, a chainmail armourer, a writer, a meticulous video gamer, a provider, a mentor, a husband, a father, a grandfather, a brother, and a steadfast friend.

As luck would have it, one of his most impressive qualities was his resilience. After a near fatal car accident in 1987 left him unable to walk again, Les survived numerous health complications threatening his life and wellbeing over the next four decades — yet, despite multiple hospital stays and emergency procedures, he tenaciously eked out a rewarding 37 years of meaningful experiences with family and loved ones because he would never willingly leave or give up on those who loved him.

Les Semenoff was an exceptional role model blessed with a refreshingly high emotional intelligence. When he got ‘the look’ and his eyes watered — or twinkled, depending on who you talk to — you knew he was processing something special that touched his heart. His unique outlook, laugh, and carefree smile rarely revealed the challenges he faced or the chronic pain he somehow made appear manageable.

In so many ways, Les was formidable and redefined the meaning of strength and stoicism, but he was also a lovable goofball and an anything-is-possible dreamer — talents he likely developed during his youth touring Western Canada with the carnival under the supervision of his uncle and aunt who operated games of chance. When told not to lay a finger on his mom’s cucumbers in the garden, young Les snuck fresh snacks by laying on the ground and eating the vegetables with his hands clasped behind his back. He once tried catapulting his five-year-old son from a teeter-totter he’d built into a pile of (mostly) leaves but was stopped in his tracks by his wife before launch. He even climbed the tallest tree near the steepest hill he could find on the family acreage and tied a Tarzan rope to it for his boys to play on. Later in life when bored during his many hospital stays, he’d often prank his nurses by meditating just enough to have them rush in to check his heart rate.

Les regularly found a way to make the ordinary extraordinary and routine tasks enjoyable — just ask the dozens of telemarketing scammers he would string along for hours or anyone who experienced the adventure trail he carved out of the family forest when he first began ‘rustling trees’ and chopping the wood required to heat the homestead he’d built.

From marking compass directions for overhead aircraft to see on the Farm’s first shingles to dreaming about building an observatory in the attic and a network of waterslides for his kids through the bush — Les reveled in creating happy experiences for others, no matter how much hard work it took to achieve or how many dreams were left unrealized. To him, talking with people about something fascinating was almost as much fun as creating or using the fascinating thing itself.

The list of things that fascinated Les was a long one. He loved all things Star Trek, the Dune novels and films, as well as documentaries focussed on space, nature, aliens, or science to name a few. When he was able to — and despite hating the water or swimming — he loved having a Russian banya and drumming tribal music into the steam bath pots with people. Nobody made a playlist like Les. To entertain himself when working after-hours at the Delisle Elementary School, he’d often listen to cassettes of eclectic songs recorded from the radio and played through the school’s intercom system. He also had a sharp eye for falling stars and satellites when with the family on the deck at night and could easily go down a digital rabbit hole chasing details on matters ranging from politics and conspiracy theories to the latest British mystery series.

Simply put, Les actively found ways to enjoy life and give meaning to the unfamiliar or uncomfortable.

The days ahead will not be the same without the exceptional man known as Pops, Daddy-O, and Lester B. But that’s okay. He leaves behind more than his loving wife Colette, his sons Collin (Jason Poppenheim) and Justin, and grandson Levi. Les also leaves behind a legacy of laughter, optimism, and perseverance. In a note to himself found in his bedside table after he’d passed, he’d written: “There is no quitting! Just do it! Accept the day you’ve been given! Work through the pain and ignore it!” Although the road ahead will be difficult to navigate with Les gone, his inspiration to remain positive and roll with life’s obstacles will endure in those who knew him.

So please don’t cry because Les is gone. Smile because he is free.

Aside from his family and spending time with the love of his life — his wife of 51 years, Colette (née Angelstad) — his greatest passion was for the unknown. Les spent a lifetime trying to understand the wisdom of the ancients or solve the riddles surrounding life on other planets. Now that he has entered the great unknown, he is free to boldly go wherever his heart desires and to explore the strange new worlds he was unable to venture into while alive.

We’ll see you on the other side, Dad.

The Semenoff family would like to make sincere and special thanks to the countless healthcare professionals responsible for safeguarding the quality of Les’ life since 1987 and to the excellent team at St. Paul’s Hospital Intensive Care Unit who supported him during his final hospital stay. Thanks as well to Cherished Memories Funeral Services & Crematory in Martensville for the genuine care and attention paid to Les and the Semenoff family.

A memorial service celebrating the remarkable life of Les Semenoff will be held in Spring 2025. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to SaskAbilities at https://www.saskabilities.ca/.