In Memoriam: Jon Leeson, Deschenes Group

Jon Leeson (source: CIPH)

With great sadness the team at Deschenes Group has announced the passing of Jon Leeson, who left us on December 15.

Leeson began his career in the HVAC/R industry in 1988 and joined Desco Plumbing and Heating (part of Deschenes Group) in March 2003. He held various marketing and sales roles before eventually becoming vice president and general manager of Desco. Jon was appointed to the role of vice president, building mechanical market, with Deschenes Group on December 1, 2021.

Leeson was also very active with the Canadian Institute of Plumbing and Heating (CIPH), serving as president of the Ontario region and then serving on the national board of directors, most recently as chair of the wholesaler division.

Francois Deschenes, president/CEO of Deschenes Group shared this moving tribute:

Dear Jon,

I was devastated to learn that you passed away so quickly. During our last conversation, not so long ago, and despite your health which seemed very fragile, you still had your combative and positive state of mind.

You knew you had a big challenge ahead of you, but you still had the will to do everything to meet it.

During all these years that I have known you, I always felt that you wanted to go for it, to persevere despite the pitfalls and that you said things as they really were with honesty and sincerity. All this with your sense of humour, your humility and your desire to put others first rather than yourself.

I had great confidence in you and a lot of respect for your leadership. You had the success of our organization and its people at heart. You were always willing to get involved in projects with rigour.

My family and I are very grateful for your great contribution to the company, whether professional or human.

You have always spoken to me with admiration and pride of your family: your wife Linda, your daughter Madison and your son David. My thoughts are with them and your mother Barbara.

They will certainly miss you very much as well as your many friends and colleagues. I will miss your friendship very much. Rest in peace, my friend!