Joseph Leonard Ardiel, known to many as Len, was born at the family farm in Heathcote, Ontario, on Saturday, November 22, 1941. Len passed away at Brightshores Health System in Owen Sound, Ontario, on Monday, January 19, 2026.
Len was well known throughout the Georgian Triangle, having lived in Heathcote, Collingwood, Thornbury, Meaford, and Owen Sound. He is survived by his son, Shawn Ardiel; his grandchildren Alexandra Ardiel, Payten, Adysen and Brynn Gilder-Ardiel; his sister and brother-in-law, Ruth and Doug McWhirter; his sister, Lorna Menzies; and his nieces and nephews: Terry and Sharon McWhirter, Debra Schaffrath, Tom and Susan Meingast, and Curtis and Todd Davidson.
Len was predeceased by his parents, Gordon and Ida Ardiel; his sister and brother-in-law, Margret and Udo Meingast; and his brother-in-law, Chuck Menzies.
Everyone remembers Len as a “Good Guy”—known as a lifetime salesman, an amazing storyteller with a mischievous streak for exaggeration, and someone with a unique talent for remembering everyone’s name. He loved golf and curling and was an avid Blue Jays fan. For many years, Len could be seen mowing lawns or snow-blowing driveways around his neighborhood on his beloved John Deere tractor.
There are no current plans for a funeral, and a small private memorial will be held at a future date.
