Obituary of Leslie Feleki

Passed away at home on March 13, 2015 at the age of 91, three days before his 68th wedding anniversary. Leslie was a dedicated and loving husband, father, and grandfather. He is survived by his wife Vera, children George (Karen) and Kathy (Shawn), and grandchildren Jessica and Brett. Leslie will be dearly missed by family and friends in Canada, the United States, and Hungary. He was predeceased by his brother George. Leslie was born in Budapest, Hungary, and earned a degree in Textile and Mechanical Engineering at the Technical University of Budapest. Following the Hungarian Revolution in 1956, he and his family fled Hungary. They arrived in London, Ontario in 1957 speaking no English and with no possessions other than the desire for a better life. Within weeks, Leslie began a long and successful career at Kayser-Roth Canada Ltd. Starting as a knitting machine operator earning one-dollar-an-hour, his determination and unyielding work ethic led to rapid promotions. After 18 years, Leslie was appointed President and CEO. In 1983, he became a Kayser Group Executive, where he was given the additional responsibility for the direction and supervision of operations in the USA, Australia, and New Zealand. Upon retiring from Kayser in 1987, he worked as an international freelance consultant until 1994. Leslie authored numerous publications and received several industry awards for his contributions to textile research and education, including a Diamond Award in recognition of 60 years of professional service. Leslie was appreciated for his wisdom, humility, meticulous attention to detail, and wry sense of humour. While others may have considered him to be stubborn, he insisted it was simply strength of character. Leslie’s passions included opera, classical music, espresso, and a glass of red wine. Of all his successes, Leslie always considered his family to be his greatest source of pride and joy. He will always be remembered for his unwavering commitment and generosity to loved ones. His children and grandchildren thank him for instilling in them the importance of family, a passion for learning, and the obligation to treat people with honesty, dignity, and compassion. A heartfelt thank you to Elizabeth and her family for their caring support over the past year. At Leslie’s request, there will be no service. Cremation has taken place. A celebration of Leslie’s life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the charity of one’s choice.