It is with deep, deep sorrow that Debby Leslie announces that her husband Ted Leslie, resident of Grande Prairie, AB, passed away on Saturday, April 10, 2021, at the age of 69 years.

Ted was diagnosed with cancer in 2014, and in true Ted style, he became a warrior and battled each negative progression with dignity and determination. His complaints were few, and he did an exemplary job of living with cancer. Sadly, a stroke in late December of 2020, robbed him of that determination and left him with a broken body and shattered mind. He wanted his life back and would not have been happy going on as he was.

He was born in Ponoka, AB, on December 23, 1951, to Rosalie and Kenneth Leslie. They later moved to Victoria, BC, where Ted resided until his late teens. As a young boy, he would visit his grandmother Dorothy in Grande Prairie, AB, and had fond memories of helping her at Leslie’s Drive-In and spending time in the Bear Creek Outdoor Pool. Ted moved to Grande Prairie, and worked at Proctor and Gamble/Weyerhaeuser from 1973 to 2003. Following that, he became a Sales Rep for Pem Brand Promotional. Ted found his true calling when he was hired by GreatWest Kenworth as an Outside Parts Representative in 2012 until his passing. He loved to drive and enjoyed meeting people, so the job was a good fit and one he took great pleasure in.

Very little was required to keep Ted content. Grilling, cooking, spending time with friends, helping with the garden, and relaxing in his yard brought him happiness. In earlier days, he loved golfing, fishing, boating and camping. He and Debby spent countless weekends exploring the campsites and lakes in Alberta, British Columbia and the United States. They were many, many good memories shared from those times among family.

Ted leaves to mourn his passing, his wife of almost 37 years, Debby, “No words seem adequate to express how much I will miss him. His mischievous smile, our conversations and his ability to make me laugh even during some of his darkest days.”. He also leaves behind his sisters: Coralie, Robyn and Karen; brothers: Ken, Mark and their families; mother in-law Trude; sisters in-law Cindy and Sherry; and brother in-law Wayne, and all of their families.

He was predeceased by his mother Rosalie; father Kenneth; and father in-law Fred Kopp.

A huge debt of gratitude goes out to Debby’s family, his tight circle of friends, and his GreatWest Kenworth family for all their support. The family also wishes to thank all of the specialists, doctors and nurses at the Cross Cancer Institute, UofA Hospital, the Grande Prairie Cancer Centre, and the QEII Hospital, who all cared for Ted over the past seven years. Last but certainly not least, a thank you to the stellar Home Care team. You were simply the best.

In respecting Ted’s wishes, there will be no service or memorial.

Memorial donations may be made to a charity of one’s choice.

“Forever a part of my heart and soul; I will catch you later, my sweetie.” ~ Debby Leslie