Toronto, Ontario -- A Whitby auto repair entrepreneur has died. He was 86.
On Thursday, Leo Richard, founder of Leo’s Auto Body, died in Whitby, Ontario.
Hailing from Rogersville, New Brunswick, Richard was one of 13 children born to Pierre and Eugenie Richard, a French-speaking couple. At 16, he moved to Toronto learning English and adapting to city life. Realizing the value of skilled trades, he soon returned to his home province to attend an auto body program. After completing his course, he moved back to Ontario.
In 1961, he married the love of his life, Julia, and settled in Oshawa, where he worked at the GM plant. In 1969, Leo struck out on his own, founding Leo’s Auto Body in Whitby. He served as the general manager of the business until his retirement in 2004.
According to his family members, he remained passionate about automobiles throughout his life. Even after retiring, he would meticulously restore classic cars, including a 1970 Mustang, a 1929 Pontiac (pictured) and a 1951 GMC pickup.
