Former Queens MLA and Region of Queens Mayor John Leefe passed away on Saturday. Photo: Chandlers Funeral Service.
A prominent politician from Southwest Nova Scotia passed away over the weekend.
The obituary for former Queens MLA and Region of Queens Mayor John Leefe confirmed he passed on Saturday night.
His obituary summarized his political career in which he accoplished many things to improve the lives of Queens Residents and those all across Nova Scotia.
From September 1978 to June 1999, John proudly represented the residents of Queens County in the Nova Scotia Legislature, winning 6 consecutive elections. He served as the Deputy Speaker of the House from 1981 to 1983 and held 3 portfolios as a member of the Executive Council including Minister of Fisheries (1983 to 1988), Minister of Environment (1988 to 1991) and Minister of Natural Resources (1991 to 1993). John served as the President of the Canadian Council of the Ministers of the Environment from 1991 to 1992. He served as Government House Leader in 1991, Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee in 1993 and as a member of the opposition from 1993 to 1999. After retiring from provincial politics, he served as the Mayor of the Region of Queens from 2000 to 2012. During his time in the Legislature and municipal government, he was a strong advocate for setting aside lands for preservation and the protection of species-at-risk and played a pivotal role in the creation of Thomas Raddall Provincial Park, Kejimkujik Seaside (Parks Canada) and nomination of Shelburne River as a Canadian Heritage River. John was also instrumental in the construction of Emera Center and South Queens High School and was a strong supporter of the Queens General Hospital.
Leefe is survived by his wife of 58 years Nancy Leefe, his son Philip of Bridgewater, NS, and daughter Sarah Ackerman (Vincent Ackerman) of Denver, CO.
