Canadian Jesuits International celebrates the life and mourns the loss of Father George Leach who died suddenly of heart failure on Sunday April 12th, 2009 at his home, Favre House, in Toronto. Fr. George was born in Halifax, Nova Scotia on July 11, 1937 and was in his 40th year as a priest and his 51st year as a Jesuit.

Fr. Leach was well-known to CJI and all his friends across Canada and internationally. He served as Director of Canadian Jesuit Missions (now, Canadian Jesuits International) from 1975 - 1979. He also served in its board from November 1997 to July 2002. More recently, after working for several years in his home province of Nova Scotia, Father George moved to Toronto where he was appointed as Rector of Regis College in January 1st, 2009.

Fr. George was deeply committed to CJI's mission and work. In addition to the many years of service as director and on its board, most recently while in Halifax he encouraged a group of friends and parishioners to support Jesu Ashram in Darjeeling by giving up a cup of coffee a week and donate the money to the project. He felt it was important that people not just give money, but that by giving up something they remembered those who have less than we do. He was a frequent visitor to our office and his presence will be missed.

We at CJI celebrate his life and his work, and ask for your prayers for him and for his family.