Leo Lino Bottos

Leo Lino Bottos, 71, died on April 7, 2020 from surgical complications, at Montreal Neurological Institute, in the midst of a global pandemic. Leo is survived by his loving blended family: wife and soulmate, Janis, his children, Joshua, Francesca (grandson, Jonah), Laura (grandson, Daniel), Anna (Arrien) and Elise.

Leo was born at home in Mimico, Ontario on August 21, 1948 to his beloved mother, Anna and inventor, Guido; his sister, Ida (George) and brothers, Gino, Tony (Veronica) and Louie (Nicole). Leo’s mother passed away when he was only 9, and his father when he was 16, leaving him with a wide world to explore at a young age. He landed in New Mexico where he began his longest and most enduring friendships in La Joya, Silver City, Santa Fe and Albuquerque. He proudly completed his master’s degree in Educational and Organizational Development at the University of New Mexico while working for the City of Albuquerque for 25 years as a construction manager and later, health inspector and trainer, with expertise in water and wastewater.

Leo retired with his family in Nelson, BC where he manifested his final dream job developing a new housing infrastructure and nature trail on 60 acres along the Columbia River. In 2010, Leo fully retired in Montreal, QC. In addition to years of co-creating numerous Art Hive projects along side his wife, he became a benevolent volunteer, initiating the “Mensch Shed” for older adults with dementia. The simple pleasures of being at home with his family, walking, reading, napping, singing, thrifting, bread-baking, and researching history in small towns across the US and Europe, provided sustaining joy in his life.

Leo’s first neurosurgeon told him, “You are like a cat with 9 lives.” Thankfully he lived all nine of his lives to the fullest: altruistically, graciously and with integrity. Leo passed away on the brilliant moonbeams of a Full Pink Moon and his absence will forever be deeply felt.