Edwin "Ted" James Ivan Leslie

Edwin James Ivan “Ted” Leslie, born November 21, 1935, to Bob and Lal Leslie, passed away peacefully on September 19, 2024 in the compassionate care of the team at Fairvern Nursing Home.

Ted was loved by all, especially his late wife Karen (nee McKinnon), and his late second wife Jyl Johnson, and is survived by his daughters Leah Leslie and Bev Leslie-Suddaby (Jeff), stepdaughters SallyAnn and Ingrid, and his beloved siblings, Don Leslie (Maxine), Kaye Leslie and Joan Pettigrew (Gary); grandchildren Vanessa MacKay (Andrew), Sam Harmon (Krista Nodwell), Kelsey Zanetti (Zach), Jocelyn Suddaby-Slater (Jason), Torin Suddaby (Stephanie Janke), Naomi Johnson and Scott Harmon (Rory) and nine great-grandchildren. Ted is also survived by countless cousins, nieces, nephews, canine family members and dear friends.

A native of Owen Sound, Ted was also a long-time resident of Walkerton.  He and Karen moved to Huntsville in 1960 and remained there for almost 25 years.  Karen and Ted moved to Peterborough before travelling to Ghana in 1989 for a two-year project with Ontario Hydro and the Volta River Authority, returning to Huntsville in 1991 and then moving to Thailand and St Vincent for Karen’s work with CESO, eventually returning to Huntsville, where Karen passed in 1997. Ted found love again, and married Karen’s childhood friend Jyl Johnson. Jyl and Ted relocated to Walkerton and later to Southampton, a lovely town on the shores of Lake Huron. Ted returned to Huntsville after Jyl’s passing.

Ted was a loyal friend and a wonderful son, brother, husband and dad. He was a gracious host, always lots of fun, and a wonderful story teller. The list of activities he enjoyed is too long to include, from fishing in Algonquin Park to golfing, scuba diving and water skiing.

He worked with Ontario Hydro for 37 years and still made time to volunteer with the Skating Club and Rotary, while indulging his entrepreneurial spirit by maintaining lighting for highway signs. Ted’s rich and adventurous life generated plenty of raw material from which to craft his stories.

The family is deeply grateful for the kindness of all the people who helped care for Ted at Rogers Cove Retirement Residence, Huntsville Hospital and finally, Fairvern Long-term Care.  Staff members described Ted as “such a nice guy.”

A celebration of life will be held at 2pm on Sunday, September 22, 2024 at Mitchell Funeral Home, 15 High Street, Huntsville, Ontario. Loving words of remembrance, officiated by Evelyn Coker, with a reception to follow.  Interment at a later date to be determined.

Donations in lieu of flowers to Fairvern Long-term Care, Canadian Cancer Society or Alzheimer’s Society.