A collision with a moose killed Temiskaming Northern Loons Swim Club head coach Leonard Lear last night on Highway 11 just north of North Bay, Ont.
Lear was returning from the Ontario Division III Team Championships at the Markham Pan Am Centre in Markham, Ont. when the collision took place.
According to the OPP, the collision occured at approximately 9:30 p.m Sunday night.
Lear was pronounced dead at the scene. He was the only person in the vehicle.
The OPP Technical Traffic Collision Investigators are assisting with what is currently an ongoing investigation.
Lear has been a certified swim coach with Swimming Canada since February of 2012.
Lear’s club trains in the township of New Liskeard, Ont., less than two hours away from the site of the collision.
Sad news to hear of the sudden passing of len lear chuck was best man at their wedding and Nancy and I went to the same sunday school our hearts go out to all who knew len and loved him
To Irene Lear , and all her family. I am so sorry to know of Len’s passing from this tragic accident. I think I only met him once, but I know his sisters well and my heart goes out to all of them and his other siblings as well. Anne, Nancy and Janice, if there is anything I can do, you know how to reach me. Love and hugs to all of you.
I can say that I was honoured to have called Len a friend. I coached out of North Bay for many years and Len and I had many discussions about running a club, developing swimmers and the trial and tribulations of coaching in the north. We chatted many times about the “concerns” we had about driving home late Sunday nights after a meet. Len was a unique guy, he was the man who kept swimming moving forward in that area. He wore his heart of his sleeve and his passion for his swimmers was evident by the “discussions” he would have with officials about a DQ. All he ever wanted with swimming was to have a positive effect on his… Read more »
To Len’s family – I am sorry for your loss. We live in a different city and I did not know him well but he was one of those Coaches who just stood out – I don’t know many other Coaches names, but Len, yes. Len was an extremely positive Coach with his swimmers. He smile, kind words, and gentle demeanor were humbling and infectious. I specifically remember him coming up to me at the pool after I had officiated one weekend and he made the point of going out of his way to say ‘thank you’. Watching him comfort and encourage young swimmers who had a rough swim was also memorable; such a positive example for everyone. A huge… Read more »
Len was always such a positive energy on the pool deck. I’ve been around the pool deck in some way for almost 25 years now and always enjoyed talking with Len and it didn’t matter if I was at a swim meet as a swimmer or a NEOR training camp as a coach. My wife sent me this article in an email and had this to say about Len….”I can still picture him in his black pants, runners and usually red golf shirt, with his program folded in his back pocket. Weird how certain things stick with you… I remember the time he first met Hudson and told me he knew he would own these pool decks one day just… Read more »
When you mentioned ” red shirt, black pants and program folded in his back pocket a warm feeling came over me and a little laugh. This was Len to us on pool deck. I was a swim parent to Jaydan & Dylan Jackson in North Bay and volunteered always when hosting a meet. Len always and I mean always came up to every volunteer official and thanked us after a meet on his way out. Len had a passion for swimming and his memory on pool deck will never be forgotten. Special prayers to your family.
Our daughter like so many others was adopted into the loon family. She benefited from Len’s coaching leadership, that competing was a team sport, instilled work ethic and always promoted laughter. She hasn’t been involved with the team for a few years however swimming is still a big part of her life as she works summers as a life guard / instructor. Our thoughts are with his family at this time, may you gain strength in the knowledge that Len’s legacy lives on in many loons, some who may still be swimming and those whom he taught to fly.
Nancy, Aunt Irene and family:
Such a shock. So sorry to know that this tragic accident happened to all of you. Love, Peter and Janice Harrison
Leonard has been an example of the “Good, that Small Club Coaches have brought to the kids of Ontario for so many years. Having been the Ontario Provincial Technical Director for a number of years and a small club coach myself, I know the joy that Leonard has experienced and love that his athletes and their parents have felt for him . . . may you rest in peace.