‘Anyone who met Ross was a better person for it’
Memorial Hike planned for Ross Leslie, line producer/production manager on shows including ‘Republic of Doyle,’ ‘Frontier,’ ‘Caught’
When he wasn’t working or enjoying some of his favourite places in his adopted home of St. John’s, Ross Leslie enjoyed hiking. His friends knew he loved to hike and after his death on March 13, they decided to honour him, by hosting a memorial hike.
The event, slated for Saturday, June 2, will see participants gather on Signal Hill and walk to the bottom along the North Head Trail and then to a designated restaurant which will be announced soon.
The event is being organized to celebrate Leslie’s three favourite things — family, food and the arts.
His widow Cathy and daughter Lauren will be on hand. Leslie was widely respected as a line producer/production manager on shows such as “Republic of Doyle,” “Frontier,” “Caught,” and “Little Dog,” all filmed and produced here in Newfoundland and Labrador.
His other works of note include “Anne of Green Gables” and most recently “Star Trek Discovery.”
He was the production manager of seasons 2,3,4,5 and 6 of
“Republic of Doyle” which was shot in Newfoundland where he spent so many months over those years and which was a place he came to love.
Allan Hawco, the star of “Republic of Doyle” said Leslie had made a lasting impression on him and many others.
“Ross started working with us on ‘Republic of Doyle’ in Season two and he really filled a gap for us,” Hawco said. “Anyone who met Ross was a better person for it.”
Hawco said Leslie supported the local theatre community and the community in general, citing how much he loved it here.
“He had a love of hiking and would spend time away from the set doing just that. He would take people on those hikes with him, friends, colleagues, just so he could let them enjoy,’’ he said.
Hawco said Leslie was a unique person, someone who could make tough decisions and people would still respect him for it.
“He did a lot of the dirty stuff that people don’t like to do,” he said.
“He would fire somebody in the morning and get flowers from them later in the day. That was how much people respected him.”
In addition to the memorial hike, friends and supporters can gather at the Duke on Thursday, May 31 for a toast in honour of Leslie.
Plans are being put in place to present an annual award to be given in Leslie’s name.
Details will be released as they become available.
The rain date for the event is on the Sunday at the same time. People wishing updates on places for the hike can get the details on the Facebook page located at:
https://www.facebook.com/ events/454931321611701/