Gallant, Leo Thomas "L.T.", died accidentally and
tragically at home on May 29, 2015, at the age of 37.
Born in Antigonish, he was the oldest son of Leo
and Margaret "Peggy" (MacDonald) Gallant of
Antigonish.
A graduate of St Francis Xavier University, L.T. held a
Bachelor of Arts in Human Kinetics with a minor in Mathematics (2004)
and a Masters of Education in Curriculum Design (2011). He also held a
Bachelor of University Studies from the University of Maine (2006),
where he met Danielle, his beautiful wife and fell in love. Through
their union, he became an honorary Cape Bretoner, adopting a large
extended family in Sydney Mines including his mother and
father-in-law, Ellen and Daniel Clarke; his three brothers-in-law Jim,
Tyler, and David, and their maternal grandparents, Jerome and Ad
MacDonald; as well as many aunts, uncles, and cousins who loved him
dearly.
He was employed as a Lab Instructor in the Department of
Human Kinetics at St.F.X at the time of his death, teaching in several
areas including Personal Health, Fundamental Movement Skills for
Children, Resistance Training, and Exercise and Evaluation. Where he
could, he encouraged the Human Kinetics students to seek certification
in all areas of coaching in order to ensure that all youngsters could
be coached by a certified coach. Before joining the University, L.T.
taught at the Thomas Aquinas Centre in Dartmouth, for the Potlotek
Board of Education at the Mi'kmawey School in Chapel Island ,and for
the Strait Regional School Board. He also worked as a carpenter, a
welder, and a gardener. In his neighbourhood, he was well known for
his gardening expertise, taking great pride in his beautiful
landscaped property. One of his goals in life was to try to leave
things a little bit better than how he found them.
He was a certified Canadian Society of Exercise Physiologist
Trainer (CESP) and a National Coaching Certification Program
University Level Coach/Facilitator (NCCP). He offered St. John
Ambulance CPR courses to his students and to the wider community. If
he had survived the episode that cost him his life, he would have been
very pleased with the effort put forth on his behalf by the ambulance
first responders.
L.T. was an avid sportsman with exceptional physical ability.
He was active in the soccer community as a player at both high School
and at University level. He also acted as a coach, as a referee, and
as a referee instructor.
A loving husband to Danielle Clarke Gallant and father to
daughter, Haley Ann Maclnnis and son, Leo Thomas Gallant, he loved his
immediate and extended family, always delighting in their
achievements. Besides his parents, LT is also survived by his brother
Ian and his wife Gina in Ottawa with their children Holden and
Cordelia, his brother Ray and his wife Bronwyn with their children
Claire and Charlotte in Halifax; maternal grandmother, Rena MacDonald,
New Glasgow; and several aunts, uncles, cousins, and
in-laws.
Predeceased by paternal grandparents, Margaret & Leo
Gallant and maternal grandfather, James MacDonald.
We will look for L.T. in every flower that blooms, in every
sun that rises and sets, and in all things beautiful in this world. He
lives on in Haley's smile, in Leo's laughter, and always in our
hearts. L.T., we love you; we miss you more than words can express,
but we will carry your beautiful spirit with us through every day of
our lives.
Visitation will be held Monday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9pm in
C.L. Curry Funeral Home, 135 College Street, Antigonish. Funeral Mass
will be Tuesday at 11:00am in the St. FX University Chapel, with
Reverend Danny MacLennan presiding. Burial in St. Ninian’s
Cemetery.
Family flowers only, please.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the St Francis
Xavier University Xaverian Fund for Scholarships and
Bursaries.
Online condolences: www.clcurry.com