Leslie (Les) James Hufty, affectionately known as Gra, has gone golfing. He passed away at Jubilee Manor on Monday June 1, 2015 at 85 years of age. Les was born in Nelson on January 14, 1930 to the late, Jessie Jean and Francis Martin Hufty.
Les grew up in Slocan before moving to Nelson in 1947 to complete grade 13 at the Nelson High School. It was there that he met Noreen, whom he married on June 15, 1951. The two of them would go on to spend their entire lives together in Nelson. During his working life, Les delivered heating oil for Shell, ran his own garage -? Hufty’s Shell Service, then drove a truck with Public Freightways and Johnston Terminals for 21 years before retiring in 1989.
Les loved sports. In 1948 he won the British Columbia Juvenile Hockey Championship as a player for the Nelson Juvenile Rep team. He was however best known for his hitting and pitching prowess in the Kootenay baseball scene. Les also enjoyed teaching others how to play the game. For a number of years he coached numerous Nelson Minor Baseball league teams. In the late 60’s, Les took up the sport of golf. With an unorthodox left handed golf swing he managed to sink a hole in one not once but four times!
Les was predeceased by Noreen his wife of 56 years, mother Jessie, father Frank Sr., brothers Charles and Frank Jr. Les will be deeply missed by his son Leigh Hufty (Jan), daughter Janice MacLean (Bruce) and sister Myrtle Heslip. He also leaves behind 4 grandchildren: Chris (Michelle) and Curtis MacLean (Breeanne); Gregory (Carissa) and Jennifer Hufty; 4 great grandchildren: Ashleigh and Bryce MacLean and Azelynn and Preston Hufty, along with numerous nieces and nephews.
The family wishes to thank all those that supported Les in the last few years. His thoughtful neighbours for watching over him. The IHA Home Support and the staff at Jubilee Manor for caring for him. The family is especially grateful to his personal care aide Sheri Scown for her extraordinary care, compassion and empathy to Les and the entire family, as well as to Bev Scott.
The family welcomes you to share your stories of Les by attending his Celebration of Life at one of his favourite places, the Granite Pointe Golf Course on June 13, 2015 at 2:00 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you make a donation to the Kootenay Lake Hospital Foundation on behalf of Jubilee Manor or the Alzheimer Society of Canada (www.alzheimer.ca) in Les’s name.
To send an online condolence please visit
www.thompsonfs.ca/obituaries.cfm.
Funeral arrangements by
Thompson Funeral Service Ltd., of Nelson, BC.