Longtime harness racing participant Leonard Feigman passed away on Friday, April 27 at the age of 86

. Born on January 18, 1926, Leonard slipped away on a sunny afternoon after a short last illness and surgery. His heart, which never failed for those he loved and never failed a friend in need, in the end failed him.

Leonard was the middle child of Morris and Gittel and grew up in the old Jewish Ward of Toronto. In 1944, at the age of 18, he enlisted in the army. After the war, he took his degree at the University of Toronto, excelling in football. He spent several years as an itinerant automotive parts seller and ran a hotel for his father in Kitchener before entering Osgoode Hall Law School. Called to the bar in 1958, he practiced law until 2009. Always a creative and formidable advocate, Leonard was also steadfast in his kindness, courtesy and chivarly. His greatest pleasure was to be of help to his family, his friends, and to those in need of a hand.

In mid-life, Leonard discovered a kinship with horses and threw himself into the sport of farmers. He bred, trained and raced standardbreds for 30 years. Leonard was a breeder and trainer, owned a farm outside Milton for a number of years where he trained his horses and thoroughly loved jumping into the jog cart to train them. Although most of the horses associated with Feigman were prefixed with the Barrlen name (Barr for Barrister, Len for Leonard), one of his best horses was $175,000 winner Little Stinker. As a lawyer, he would work for the industry representing drivers and trainers at hearings.

At the age of 70, instead of hanging up his spurs, he embarked on a new discipline as a member of the Ontario Review Board, traveling to hospitals across the province for hearings and immersing himself in the study of psychiatry. Leonard's last eight years were a remarkable series of triumphs over almost overwhelming medical odds. His will to overcome adversity, his sense of humour, his love and generosity were an inspiration to friends and strangers alike.

Leonard leaves his soul companion and partner in life, Wailan Low. Leonard is predeceased by his parents Morris, and Gittel, his brother Sol and by his sister Polly. He is survived by his nieces and nephews Janet Kestin, Leslie Kestin, Paulee Kestin, Laurie and Mike Gellman, Marsha and John Gullo, Thomas Feigman, by his great nephews and nieces, Devin Monajem, Carys Kestin, Mark Johnson, Michael Gellman, Jonathan Gellman, Julia Gellman, Allison Rodal, Carolyn Dubrovsky, Zachary Feigman, Max Feigman, Samantha Feigman, and Sydney Feigman.

Funeral service has already taken place, and memorial donations may be to made Disabled Veterans Of Israel Beit Halochem, 905-695-0611.

Please join Standardbred Canada in offering condolences to the family and friends of Leonard Feigman.