Leonard Lorne Fizzell, 82, passed away at his home in Oakdale on Jan 3, 2019. He was born the fifth of 10 children on the family homestead in Spiritwood, Saskatchewan, Canada where he worked with horses, played hockey and learned the auto body trade. He immigrated to California in 1963 to find adventure with his wife Deloris. Len brought his family to Oakdale from the Bay Area in 1982, making him a resident of Oakdale for 37 years. He loved Oakdale and never looked back. He worked in the auto body industry for 50 years and took special pride in helping his kids restore their project cars. He spent endless hours in his garage – sanding the hood of a car, tinkering with anything mechanical, or working on his fleet of bicycles. His favorite pastime was riding his bicycle around Oakdale. He easily rode 6,000 miles per year, regularly riding 20+ miles per day, on an electric-assist bicycle in his later years. Len enjoyed listening to country music (Hank Sr., George Jones & the Hag) and watching hockey, baseball and football. Len loved his family and was especially proud of his kids. Those that knew him best valued his work ethic, his strong sense of right and wrong, and his unfailing BS meter.
Len was loved and admired for his integrity, generosity, sense of humor and big smile; he is and will be missed greatly. He is survived by his adoring son, Perry (Lisa) Fizzell of Oakdale and adoring daughter Susan (Brett) Fizzell of Piedmont; his brothers Bert and Richard and his sisters Rita, Shirley and Evelyn, all of Canada; he was pre-deceased by brother Bob and sisters Lila, Lola and Sharon. He leaves behind three granddaughters: Danika Fizzell and Elliott and Calder Hondorp; two step granddaughters Kayla Hornberger, Kourtney Whitley; and faithful dog, Natalie.
The Oakdale (Calif.) Leader
Len was loved and admired for his integrity, generosity, sense of humor and big smile; he is and will be missed greatly. He is survived by his adoring son, Perry (Lisa) Fizzell of Oakdale and adoring daughter Susan (Brett) Fizzell of Piedmont; his brothers Bert and Richard and his sisters Rita, Shirley and Evelyn, all of Canada; he was pre-deceased by brother Bob and sisters Lila, Lola and Sharon. He leaves behind three granddaughters: Danika Fizzell and Elliott and Calder Hondorp; two step granddaughters Kayla Hornberger, Kourtney Whitley; and faithful dog, Natalie.
The Oakdale (Calif.) Leader
Aug. 28, 2019