In Celebration of

Leonard Paul Short

May 17, 1939 - June 26, 2025

Leonard Paul Short, P. Eng., of Toronto, passed away on June 26, 2025, at the age of 86, at the Etobicoke General Hospital.

He was born on May 17, 1939, to Leila Iola Short and Leonard Robinson Short in Toronto.

Paul attended the University of Toronto, and graduated with both his Bachelor and Masters of Engineering degrees.

He married Elizabeth (Liz) Short (nee Waddell) on August 10, 1968, and they had three sons - Mike, Murray, and Jeff.

Paul worked as a Mechanical Engineering Professor at Ryerson Polytechnic Institute/University, now known as Toronto Metropolitan University, and retired in 2004.

He was an outdoor enthusiast and avid whitewater canoeist.

Paul is survived by his wife Liz, his sons Mike (Shelley), Murray (Jessica), and Jeff (Beverley), as well as his six grandchildren, Tristan, Cassandra, Denbeigh, William, Christian, and Molly.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Leila and Len, and his sister, Nance.

Visitation will be held on Friday, July 18th from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., and a celebration of life service will be held on Saturday, July 19th at 2:00 p.m., followed by a reception. All events will take place at Turner & Porter - Butler Chapel. 4933 Dundas Street West. Etobicoke, ON. M9A-1B6.

Interment will be held privately at a later date at Park Lawn Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Faculty of Engineering & Architectural Science at Toronto Metropolitan University.

Guestbook

(5 of 8)

Cassandra Nolan (Grandchild)

Entered July 3, 2025 from Kingston, ON

So grateful to have had Paul as a step-grandparent and treating my brother and I like his own!

Shelley Hunter (Daughter-in-law)

Entered July 3, 2025 from Ottawa

To a kind and gentle father-in-law who accepted my children and I into the family from the very beginning. I had the utmost privilege in knowing you, spending time with you, and hearing your stories spoken quietly, and always with loving intention and encouragement. While the absence of your physical presence is incredibly hard for all of us to bear, I am comforted in knowing that you haven’t truly left us and you are still very much around all of us. I know you’re out there somewhere, in a canoe on a quiet lake, taking in all of the sights and sounds around you, and smiling.
With love always,
Shelley
My heartfelt condolences to all of Paul’s family and friends during this incredibly difficult time.

Doris Waddell (Spouse of Bill Waddell ( Liz’s cousin))

Entered July 4, 2025 from Bath, Ontario

My sympathy to Liz and family. I know we enjoyed our contacts with him and appreciated his positive energy. I was glad to have that last visit in our home when they visited Kingston, a few years ago.

Joseph Amankrah (Work colleague)

Entered July 4, 2025 from Toronto

It is with an heavy heart to hear the departure of Paul. He was a very welcoming and supportive person, and a great source of information and inspiration to the department and the student, when he was working and after he retired.

I personally will miss our conversations, he was a very humble person, and it is a great honour to have worked with Paul.

My deepest condolences to the family.

Joseph

Farrokh Janabi-Sharifi (Friend and Colleague)

Entered July 4, 2025 from Toronto

Paul was a source of inspiration. He was a member of my hiring committee in 1996 and since then provided his advice in relation to departmental matters. He was always there when you needed him. I had high respect for him. We used to see him in departmental annual awards ceremony. He will truly be missed.
My sincere condolences to his family.

Farrokh Janabi-Sharifi