Jim (James) Robert Leslie
1920-2018

Jim Leslie passed away peacefully in his sleep with loved ones by his side on January 16, 2018.  Jim was born to a homesteading family in Onaway, Alberta; the Depression displaced them to Chilliwack, BC.  By the age of 14, Jim left school to take over the farm and soon after joined the RCAF during WWII.  After nearly a decade of service, Jim left the air force and started a contracting business with Del Hartley.  At an RCAF dance James met the love of his life, Helen (nee Turner), whom he married in 1947.  Helen and Jim are survived by their three sons who they raised in their New Westminster home: Alan (Judy), Daniel (Sue) and Neil (Jan).  Their home was always welcoming for family members and a haven for their adopted cats.  Jim and Helen were well known at William’s Landing on Pitt Lake.  After retirement, Jim spent the majority of his time creating projects in his basement turned metal shop. He delighted in engaging youth and visited high school classrooms to tell war stories well into his 90s. Jim is predeceased by his wife, Helen, and grandson Thomas.  Jim is survived by his grandchildren: Alison (Carson), Kimberly (Simon), Holly (Travis), Michael, David, Karen (Paul), Megan (Scott), Daniel (Heather), Matthew, Michael (Elli), and Cameron (Nicole) and great-grandchildren: Bentley, Hudson, Helen, Malcolm, Saphira, Freija and Calvin.  Family would like to thank the staff at RCH and SMH for their care who helped Jim to live independently until his last days. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the Royal Columbian Hospital Foundation (rchfoundation.com).
***Please contact danielleslie@shaw.ca for Celebration of Life details.***