In Loving Memory of Leo Ledohowski
Pioneering Entrepreneur • Community Leader • Visionary Philanthropist
“Some lives don’t just touch the world—they help shape it.”
The city of Winnipeg, the province of Manitoba, and the entire Canadian hospitality industry are united in grief as they mourn the passing of Leo Ledohowski, a towering figure in business, philanthropy, and public life. A man of vision, discipline, and boundless generosity, Leo’s journey was one marked by innovation, integrity, and an unshakable belief in the power of community.
Leo Ledohowski was not just a successful entrepreneur—he was a builder of legacies. As the longtime President and Chairman of Canad Inns, one of Canada’s most well-known and innovative hospitality chains, Leo redefined what hospitality meant in Canada. He envisioned hotels as more than places to sleep; he saw them as spaces of connection, celebration, and cultural enrichment. His business acumen transformed the industry, but it was his character, his ethics, and his heart for people that truly set him apart.
A Life of Vision and Tenacity
Born and raised in Winnipeg, Leo was the son of Ukrainian immigrants, and he carried his heritage with immense pride throughout his life. The values instilled in him from childhood—hard work, faith, and service—would shape every endeavor he pursued.
Leo’s career began in education, where he worked as a teacher and eventually earned a law degree. But it was in hospitality and business where he found his true calling. From the earliest days of Canad Inns, Leo had a singular vision: to create spaces where people could gather, experience excellence, and feel a deep sense of welcome. Under his leadership, the chain grew into one of Manitoba’s most iconic and successful hotel enterprises, employing thousands and serving millions.
His innovative spirit was matched by an unrelenting work ethic. Colleagues, employees, and business partners all knew Leo as someone who led from the front, who demanded the best because he gave his best, and who believed that every detail mattered.
A Community Leader and Tireless Advocate
Beyond business, Leo was deeply committed to the city and province he loved. He gave back at every opportunity—not out of obligation, but from a sincere desire to see his community thrive.
Leo believed that success meant little if it didn’t help lift others. Over the decades, he contributed millions to causes across healthcare, education, the arts, and immigrant services. Hospitals, universities, churches, and cultural institutions all benefitted from his generosity and quiet philanthropy. He never sought the spotlight for his giving, but the impact of his support is visible in every corner of Winnipeg.
He also took great pride in supporting the Ukrainian-Canadian community, particularly during times of global crisis. Whether supporting cultural heritage organizations or rallying aid for Ukraine in times of need, Leo’s sense of identity was deeply intertwined with his sense of duty.
A Devoted Family Man
Behind every remarkable public life is a private world shaped by love and relationships, and for Leo, nothing mattered more than family. He was a devoted husband, a loving father, and a proud grandfather. His family was his greatest treasure, and he poured the same commitment and passion into his home as he did into his career.
Those closest to him speak of a man who, despite the weight of his responsibilities, always made time. He was generous with his wisdom, patient in his guidance, and unwavering in his love. His strength was matched by tenderness, and his legacy will live on most powerfully in the lives of his children and grandchildren.
A Legacy Etched in Stone and Spirit
Leo Ledohowski leaves behind more than businesses and buildings—he leaves behind a model of what it means to live with purpose. He showed that success is not just what you build, but who you uplift along the way. He proved that leadership rooted in ethics and compassion can ripple across generations.
In every community gathering space, every scholarship funded, every hospital wing improved through his donations—Leo’s legacy endures. In the careers he inspired, the employees he mentored, the causes he championed, and the family he so dearly loved—his spirit lives on.
A Final Farewell
As the city of Winnipeg says goodbye to one of its greatest sons, we also rise in tribute to everything Leo Ledohowski stood for. He was a visionary, yes. A businessman. A philanthropist. A community pillar. But more than that, he was an example of how one life, lived fully and selflessly, can impact thousands.
Rest in peace, Leo Ledohowski.
Your legacy is etched not just in the skyline, but in the hearts of those you lifted.
Your story will be told not just in boardrooms and buildings, but around family tables, in classrooms, and in the quiet, grateful moments of lives changed for the better.
You built more than a business—you built a legacy of compassion, excellence, and hope. And for that, you will never be forgotten.
