In memory of
Leo Franciscus Aalders
April 27, 1946 - January 8, 2026
Leo Franciscus Aalders passed away peacefully after a long battle with colorectal cancer on January 8th, 2026 at the Sunnybrook Hospital Palliative Care Unit in Toronto.
He was born in Leidschendam, the Netherlands on April 27th, 1946 to parents Leonardo and Sofien Aalders. He grew up with his brothers Willem, Antonius (Ton) and Frans; and his sisters Ans and Wilma. Leo immigrated to Canada in 1965 with Willem and Ton, where he became a hairdresser. He owned Razor’s Edge, located at the TD Centre, for over 20 years. He was fortunate to meet Dieter and Helga Huber who accepted him as family, where he became an adoptive older brother to Coletta, Andreas, and Carina.
Leo met the love of his life, Asbelita (Asby) on April 16, 1987 after being set up on a blind date by their mutual friends Michel and Virginia Petrera. After only dating for two months, they got engaged on June 20th. They were married on October 10, 1987 at Lansing United Church in North York. They enjoyed 38 years of marriage full of laughter and love.
Leo and Asby were overjoyed to welcome their only son Ryan Francis on January 12, 1989. Leo readily embraced his role as a father— even taking Ryan to the biggest roller coasters at Canada’s Wonderland every summer well into his 60s! He imparted his love for reading and intellectualism to his son, who will miss him dearly.
He became a grandfather when Reina Zhiming Aalders was born in April 2020. Leo welcomed a second grandchild in June 2022 when Leo Zhiyuan Aalders was born. He was a loving, silly presence in their lives, even in their last days together at Sunnybrook.
Leo is survived by his loving wife Asbelita (Asby) Familiar Aalders, son Ryan Francis Aalders (Ren Ee Choo), grandchildren Reina Zhiming (5 years old) and Leo Zhiyuan (3 years old), brother Antonius (Ton) Aalders, and sisters Ans and Wilma.
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In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in his name to the Sunnybrook Foundation - Odette Cancer Program.
https://foundation.sunnybrook.ca/fundraising-priorities/odette-cancer-program/
He was born in Leidschendam, the Netherlands on April 27th, 1946 to parents Leonardo and Sofien Aalders. He grew up with his brothers Willem, Antonius (Ton) and Frans; and his sisters Ans and Wilma. Leo immigrated to Canada in 1965 with Willem and Ton, where he became a hairdresser. He owned Razor’s Edge, located at the TD Centre, for over 20 years. He was fortunate to meet Dieter and Helga Huber who accepted him as family, where he became an adoptive older brother to Coletta, Andreas, and Carina.
Leo met the love of his life, Asbelita (Asby) on April 16, 1987 after being set up on a blind date by their mutual friends Michel and Virginia Petrera. After only dating for two months, they got engaged on June 20th. They were married on October 10, 1987 at Lansing United Church in North York. They enjoyed 38 years of marriage full of laughter and love.
Leo and Asby were overjoyed to welcome their only son Ryan Francis on January 12, 1989. Leo readily embraced his role as a father— even taking Ryan to the biggest roller coasters at Canada’s Wonderland every summer well into his 60s! He imparted his love for reading and intellectualism to his son, who will miss him dearly.
He became a grandfather when Reina Zhiming Aalders was born in April 2020. Leo welcomed a second grandchild in June 2022 when Leo Zhiyuan Aalders was born. He was a loving, silly presence in their lives, even in their last days together at Sunnybrook.
Leo is survived by his loving wife Asbelita (Asby) Familiar Aalders, son Ryan Francis Aalders (Ren Ee Choo), grandchildren Reina Zhiming (5 years old) and Leo Zhiyuan (3 years old), brother Antonius (Ton) Aalders, and sisters Ans and Wilma.
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In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in his name to the Sunnybrook Foundation - Odette Cancer Program.
https://foundation.sunnybrook.ca/fundraising-priorities/odette-cancer-program/
Funeral Details
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Visitation
York Cemetery & Funeral Centre
160 Beecroft Road, Toronto, ON, CANADA, M2N 1W7
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Saturday, 17 Jan 2026 9:30 AM - 10:30 AM
Memorial Service
York Cemetery & Funeral Centre
160 Beecroft Road, Toronto, ON, CANADA, M2N 1W7
Get Directions
Saturday, 17 Jan 2026 10:30 AM
Info: Followed by interment of cremated remains at York Cemetery.