Michael James Langlands

Michael James Langlands
November 29, 1957 – October 30, 2021

It is with great sadness that I write of the passing of my loving husband Michael Langlands.

Michael was born in Creston, BC on November 29, 1957. After trying his hand in the grocery business in BC, he moved to Edmonton, attended NAIT and then graduated with a Business degree from the University of Alberta. He spent most of his work life in the transportation industry and ended his career as a National Accounts Manager for TForce Logistics. Unfortunately his last fifteen years were marked by numerous visits to the University of Alberta hospital and the Mazankowski Alberta Heart Institute. He had three open heart surgeries, and an AICD in his chest. He confided in me the fear he lived with because he was so hyper-aware of the frequent rhythm changes in his heart. After his last surgery his heart was no longer strong enough to survive his weakened condition. I and his best friend Curtis Stewart were with him, as he quietly passed away at the age of 63 in the University of Alberta Hospital ICU at 2:40pm October 30th, 2021.

Michael was a kind, caring, and compassionate man who always spoke of friends and family in honouring ways; and he was a devoted man — devoted to friends and family, devoted to me, devoted to my children, devoted to being a loving grandfather and devoted to the companies he worked for. He was generous to a fault, stood up for his principles, and would often say when referring to his stubborn and habitual nature, that he came by it honestly because he had German in his blood.

Michael referred to himself as a jokey fellow, a description that had been given to him by his grandmother; and he lived up to that role. He would often make fun of himself or those around him, or pass on laugh inducing witticisms. He seemed to have the ability to come up with a very broad range of humorous comments and then he would laugh as soon as offering them up. Together we were the perfect couple because I was willing to participate in offering up disparaging comments about things he did as often as he could dish them up about me. We had a life together that was rich. We loved so many of the same things — the symphony, local theatre, summer music festivals, and the Fringe. We had gone on some wonderful vacations, and being a solid history buff his favourite was a trip to the first and second world war battlefields in France.

Michael would say that we were the perfect complement — he would drink enough for the two of us and I was the designated driver. He loved his craft beer and fine wine, and he loved the Oilers hockey team. His best friend Curtis and he would go to Oilers games together and then once a year attend a wine tasting event at the Edmonton Convention Centre…… Curtis’ wife Louise and I would go enjoy a movie and pick the loaded and laughing pair up after the wine swilling event. All of these special memories and many more will live with me until the day I die. We both loved our lives among family and rescued pets, and if I could have one last moment with him I would hold him close just to breath in his goodness and tell him how very much he has been loved and admired.

Michael is survived by me, his wife, Beverly Leeck; by his mother Helen (Pagens) Aldham and step-father Roy Aldham; his brother David Langlands and nephew Matthew Langlands; by his step-daughter Julia Lesmister, step-son Marc Lesmister (Marlena) and his grandson Owen Lesmister; his sister-in-laws Leona King, Christine Joll, and Dianne Larko (Terry). He was pre-deceased by his father Edward James Langlands and his brother-in-law Duane King.

Cremation will take place in Edmonton and interment will follow in Mountainview Cemetery, Lethbridge at a later date. A special celebration of his life will be planned for spring 2022 or later depending on the lifting of Covid-19 restrictions.
Michael loved dogs and when last we spoke of our final resting place he asked that the ashes of his favourite dog be buried with us.
In lieu of flowers we would appreciate it if you would make a donation to SCARS (Second Chance Animal Rescue Society) Alberta.