Obituary: Les Dubé's kindness and generosity made a lasting impact in Saskatoon (2024)

Leslie David Dubé, Feb. 16, 1933 – March 13, 2024

Leslie (Les) Dubé’s was born in Wynward but his self-made success story began with a real estate investment in the Greystone-University neighbourhood of Saskatoon.

His business acumen eventually grew into the thriving Concorde Group of Companies, with worldwide interests in commercial real estate, fresh produce importing and distribution, land development, hospitality, venture capital, as well as the professional sports and entertainment sectors.

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“My father’s commitment to philanthropy and community building has left an indelible mark on all of us. His devotion to making a positive impact on society will continue to inspire us as we honour his memory and carry forward his legacy of giving,” Dubé’s son L. David Dubé, president and CEO of Concorde Group, said in a news release on Friday. ” … we pledge to continue supporting the causes that were near and dear to Les’s heart.”

After growing the Concorde Group into a successful business, in 1993 Leslie and his wife Irene — they married in 1954 — turned their attention to giving back to the community, with their efforts benefited the Royal University Hospital, Lighthouse Supported Living and the Ronald McDonald House Saskatchewan, among others. Faith-based charities, not limited to Dubé’s Catholic faith, were of particular focus.

The Dubés donated millions of dollars to all four Saskatoon hospitals, the University of Saskatchewan and a number of mental health initiatives and programs aimed to reduce poverty and homelessness.

“We found the more we contribute, the more we achieve peace in our hearts,” Dubé said in 2018 when donating $1m for a new hospital in North Battleford. “It’s love. We gave love in a small way, and a little bit more.”

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Shortly before Leslie’s death, the Dubés donated $2 million for the purchase of a diagnostic imaging scanner at Royal University Hospital (RUH) — part of the couple’s nearly $8 million in donations to RUH over the years.

RUH said in a news release announcing the donation on March 7, that the Dubés’ donation history with the hospital began in 1987 with $10,000 to purchase surgery unit beds. They also donated $3 million in 2006 that helped build the 71-bed Irene and Leslie Dubé Centre for Mental Health that opened in 2010 adjacent to RUH.

In 2021, the philanthropist pair donated $6m to Saskatoon Community Foundation, designating $1 million for each of six local charitable organizations. The Dube Endowed Funds sustained programs at the Lighthouse, the Canadian Mental Health Association of Saskatoon, Sherbrooke Community Centre, the Canadian Red Cross in Saskatchewan, Hope for Malawi, and Food for the Hungry Canada.

Dubé and Irene received an honorary Doctor of Laws degrees from the University of Saskatchewan in 2007, and both also received the Saskatchewan Order of Merit in 2008. In 2017, both were also named a Members of the Order of Canada.

To remember Dubé, Mass will be celebrated on March 22 at 10:30 a.m. at Cathedral of the Holy Family in Saskatoon, with a prayer vigil on March 21 at 7 p.m.

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