“He was a man larger than life”.

That was the sentiment shared by all as Leo Puddester was laid to rest in a service at the Basilica of St. John the Baptist yesterday.

Puddester was a former corrections officer who worked his way up through the union ranks to be elected as President of NAPE in 2003.

The Basilica was filled with corrections officers, union members, musicians, friends and family remembering and paying tribute to Puddester.

A Top-List Character Who was Impossible to Forget

The superintendent of Prisons, Don Roche, says Puddester was one of the best characters he’s ever met.

Roche says he was a tireless fighter for workers’ rights and when you look back at your career and who you remember, Leo Puddester would be at the top of the list. His daughters, Leah and Krista, delivered a eulogy on their father’s behalf that didn’t leave a dry eye in the building.

And, of course, there were some lighter moments when remembering Puddester.

The daughters of Leo Puddester say their father was a lot of things, but at the core of it all; was love.

Leah Puddester says her father touched so many lives, and it didn’t shock her to see such an outpouring of support at the funeral. She says they are thankful for everyone who came out to pay the former labour leader their respects.

Her sister Krista says their father was a legend.

She says they never appreciated how much big a figure he was – since to them he was simply dad. She says the support of family, friends and the public has been amazing.

Leah says all of the kind words shared reflect who their father was. She says Leo loved people, what he did, music, his family, the province and has left behind a great legacy for them to carry on and teach to their children.