Peter Jaffray Leslie, 68, was born on January 24, 1958, in Minneapolis, second son and 4th child of Mary Louise Jaffray Leslie and David McAfee Leslie. Pete died on May 24, 2026, after his long but complaint-free and spirited struggle with complex heart disease.
He grew up in Edina and attended Blake and Breck Schools. With ever-present self-determination and persistence, he built a successful international career bringing hi-tech medical monitors into various Asian markets, working with companies such as Siemens of Germany and traveling throughout Europe and Asia for the better part of 20 years. He was a mechanic’s mechanic to family, neighbors, and friends and loved tinkering with anything from a wind-up alarm clock from the 1960s to the diesel engine in his camper! His computer knowledge outpaced most! He loved racing any type of craft across water or snow and often did so at his favorite haunts in northern Wisconsin and Minnesota!
Pete is survived by his daughters, Jaimie (Austin) Leslie Conway and Mary Leslie, and their mother, Kelly Hatton; his wife, Marivic Cruz, and daughters, Luisa Gomez and Raime Gomez; his siblings, David (Mary) Jr., Cynthia (Scott) Johnson, and Marcia (Gary) O’Hagan; many nieces and nephews; and his beloved golden retrievers, Jack and Tucker.
He was predeceased by his parents, David and Mary, and his sister, Mary Elizabeth (Bill) Reynolds.
Pete lived his life with many connections to people, adventure, storytelling, and a deep love of music, often singing while he worked or to get a smile from anyone!
In lieu of flowers, Pete’s family suggest contributions to the Family Heart Foundation (https://familyheart.org), focused on better understanding the negative impacts of elevated lipoprotein(a) on heart health, and Retrieve a Golden of the Midwest (https://RAGOM.org), dedicated to rescue and adoption of Pete’s favorite dog breed, the golden retriever.
A celebration of Pete’s Life is planned for June 5, 2026, with visitation at 2 pm and a service of remembrance at 3 pm in the Chapel at Gearhart Funeral Home, 11275 Foley Blvd. NW, Coon Rapids, MN.
Private burial will be at a later date in Lakewood Cemetery, Minneapolis.
