Leo Baptiste

Leo Baptiste (Big Lou)  of Ebb and Flow First Nation passed away on Tuesday, July 1, 2025 at the Brandon Regional Health Centre at the age of 66 years.  

Our beloved, Leo was born April 16, 1959 in Ste. Rose Du Lac, Manitoba. He was raised in Ebb & Flow First Nation, down sucker creek road on the family farm. He helped on farm; cutting hay, tending to the cattle, gardens and hayfields. He attended Ebb & Flow North School, Hillridge School & Ste. Rose School. He worked at Canadian National Railway in his younger years, then came home to tend to the farm and also started employment with the First Nation as a heavy machine operator. After many years, he moved to work with the Health Department in the HeadStart program as a bus driver, custodian & maintenance man until his passing.

Leo was a very dedicated hard-working man. He believed in doing things the right way, not the easy way. It was never just a job, his quiet determination & unseen sacrifices; he gave everything with the belief that what he did mattered, and it did. Because of his dedication lives were made better. He left behind not just memories but legacies. He lived life with purpose and made a lasting difference.

Leo was the family jokester; his children would be the only ones to laugh at his jokes. He enjoyed playing bejewel blitz, toon blast, wordscapes and solitaire on his phone.

Leo enjoyed all kinds of sports and had many hobbies, he played baseball, slow pitch, golf & pool. He was 16 years old when the late Alfred Beaulieu recruited him to play for the Lakers Ball Team. He was given the name Lefty/Big Lou by his teammates. He played centerfield and pitcher. He was the best centerfielder there ever was, he always caught the ball when it came to him and was able to throw it right from centerfield to home plate. One time he caught a ball that was about to go over the fence, he made sure to throw the ball to home plate to get the other player out, his team won from there. The Ebb and Flow Lakers were inducted in the Manitoba Baseball Hall of fame. Each member was given a plaque for it; he went to accept it. He also enjoyed playing slow pitch with the Goof Troops. He travelled all over Manitoba and Canada to go to “picnics”.

Leo always gave everyone a nickname and had a signature wave that he acknowledged everyone he met.

Leo leaves to mourn his wife of 50 years, Brenda. He married his childhood sweet heart on May 16, 1981. Their children Stacy (Terry), Lee, Holly & Nolan (Kim); his grandchildren that he raised like his own Lee Jr. (Tehya), Krisley, Luke, Kristiana & Lennon.

His grandchildren Jackson, Gina, Ginger, Joey, Gia, Gianna, Jasper, Levi, Leandre, Aleigha, Liam, Leland

His great grandchildren Haven, Kiah & Nicholas Jr.

Leo said these were all his babies and would give them hugs and kisses when he saw them.

His godchildren; Larry Hunter, Patricia Mancheese, Donelle Houle, Jodie Hunter, Missy Malcolm & Creeden North

His Sisters Marie Neault, Susan Houle & Elaine North (John)

His brothers Isaac & Warren Baptiste, Ivan Davis (Wanda), Rene Hunter Sr.

His in laws George Mancheese (Rose), Melvin Mancheese, Darrell Mousseau (Joanne), Mike Mousseau (Shirley), Debbie Mousseau, Janet Mousseau, Rita Baptiste, Bruce Ahmo, Patrick Campbell, Jeffery Mancheese

Leo was predeceased by his daughter Donna Kristen Baptiste, his grandsons Jordan Lee & Matthew, his parents Donald & Adele Baptiste, his brothers Joesph & Charles Baptiste, his sisters Mary Jane Ahmo & Deanna Baptiste, his in-laws Delia Mancheese, Mary & Harry Mousseau, Sister in-laws Alma Kirkness & Breena Campbell, his brother in-law Brian Mancheese, Ralph Houle & Denis Houle Sr.

Numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and extended family

We express our deepest gratitude to Ste. Rose General Hospital, Dauphin Regional Health Center, Brandon Regional Health Center Nurses, Doctors and Staff that cared for him with compassion and dignity. You did everything you could, your gentle words, comfort and care helped us hold on to hope and peace. To the community of Ebb and Flow and all the people that supported us during this difficult time. Your compassion will never be forgotten, and will carry your kindness with us, always.

Wake and Prayer Services for Leo was held on Tuesday, July 8, 2025 beginning at 5:00 pm in the Ebb and Flow First Nation Community Complex, Ebb and Flow First Nation.  

Funeral Mass was celebrated on Wednesday, July 9, 2025 at 1:00 pm in the Ebb and Flow First Nation Community Complex, Ebb and Flow First Nation.  

Fr. Moise Adossou celebrated the mass with interment following in the Ebb and Flow Cemetery.