TOTH, Leslie

Leslie “Les” Conrad Toth

May 14, 1924 – September 13, 2018

Les was called home to be with his precious Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ on Thursday, September 13, 2018 at the young age of 94.

No one would have ever guessed Les’ age. His youthfulness, passions and zest for life kept him young physically and at heart through his entire life.

Les was born in Diamond City, Alberta to Steve and Zsofia Toth. His early years were spent on the family farm with his 5 siblings: Elizabeth, Ella, Mary, Anne, and Steve; numerous cousins close by, his mom’s good Hungarian cooking, and devoted pets.

Les really loved school especially math and bookkeeping as well as school fairs, fieldtrips, and concerts.

Sports were an integral part of Les’ young adult years. Les played Back Catcher for the Shaughnessy Cadillacs Fastball team. No one came close to them. He also played hockey for the Lethbridge Maple Leaf’s. They captured the 1950 Western Canadian Championship and are best known for their gold medal win in the 1951 World Amateur Hockey Championship in Paris, France.

Les began his career at the Shaughnessy Mine at the age of 17 as a Slate picker to help his parents buy their first tractor. He was only down in the mine 5 or 6 months when he moved to the Storehouse giving out supplies and keeping inventory. Les was so well liked he was called to work in the office. At this time, he started business courses 3 nights/week at the Garbutt Business College in Lethbridge taking typing, bookkeeping, and later accounting and commercial law from International Correspondence Schools acquiring his Certified Public Accountant (CPA) as well as becoming a Notary Public. In 1942 he became comptroller – management for supervising accounting and finances, doing payroll for 400 men as well as other duties. Even today miners speak highly of Les and his care and concern for them as he treated them as family and say he was the best boss and Shaughnessy Mine was the best place to work. Les is an exceptional visionary and pursued his purposes with passion leaving a legacy wherever he went, with whatever he pursed.

After the mine closed in 1965 Les became Secretary Treasurer and then General Manager of the Lethbridge Northern Irrigation District (LNID). He introduced modern technology – water piped underground to eliminate seepage and water above ground in concrete lined canals, as well as a computerized supervisory control system for releasing and shutting off water from the head gates.

Les owned and operated a successful accounting and insurance business continuing the accounting to age 94.

At the Canadian Cooperative Wool Growers of Canada, he also became manager. He is proud of the wool baler press he designed and built which is still there today, as well as establishing a retail business of wool products and fashions.

Les’ heart and experience for mining led him to be a strong, unyielding advocate for the Galt #8 Mine in West Lethbridge. He was hugely active in the Galt #8 Mine Historic Site Society to restore the mine and create an international tourist attraction with 4D and live theaters, a glass front restaurant overlooking the river valley, banquet hall, and more. This passion kept him a very active President until his passing.

Les has always been a follower of Jesus Christ and a committed, active church goer. At Bethlen Hungarian Presbyterian Church he was an elder and created and delivered sermons in the ministers’ absence. Later at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church he was active on the Board of Managers and led a Promise Keepers bible study each Saturday morning. His heart was always to draw in the youth with activities and lead them to Jesus.

Les is a devoted family man and holds dear to his heart all his family as well as his friends. Les and his wife Lydia grew up on close neighbouring farms and in October of 1956 were married and were a few months short of celebrating their 60th wedding anniversary upon Lydia’s passing. Les loved the formal events he and Lydia attended.

Les and Lydia raised 2 beautiful children, Vivian and Calvin, and were blessed to enjoy many special and precious moments with them as well as with son-in-law Garry and their dearly loved granddaughters Rachelle, Tamara, Sasha; daughter-in-law Ildi and grandsons: Joshua, Jordan, Damon. There are so many precious times we could write of. Les had great fun planning a family trip to both Disneyland and Hawaii with Lydia, Vivian, and Calvin. Les loved being a part his family’s life and everything each member of the family were involved in. Les loved traditions like always going for Chinese food New Year’s Day. Special occasions held their special place in his heart as he enjoyed each moment. Les says his very favourite moments are times spent together with family around his table.

Les is already greatly missed and is loved forever by his daughter Vivian (Garry) Malmo and granddaughters: Rachelle, Tamara (Matthew) Eagles, Sasha; son Calvin (Ildiko) Toth and grandsons: Joshua, Jordan (Samara McIntosh), Damon; nieces, nephew, cousins, brothers and sisters in-law, more family, dear friends.

Dad’s favourite saying to us is “love you to infinity and way beyond”. “Dad, we love you to infinity and way beyond.”

Relatives and friends are welcome to meet with Les’ family at MARTIN BROTHERS FUNERAL CHAPEL, Friday, September 21, 2018 from 6:00pm to 9:00 pm.

A Celebration of Les’ life will be held at 1:00pm on Saturday, September 22, 2018 at ST. ANDREW’S PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, 1818 – 5th Avenue South. Interment to follow at Mountain View Cemetery.

Visit www.mbfunerals.com to send a private condolence.