Leslie Tinsley

The family of Leslie Tinsley is saddened to announce his passing on Friday May 26, 2023, age 73, while under the care of Trinity Health Pontiac after a 6 year battle with ALS. He had been hospitalized for the previous 4 weeks and had family and friends visiting during that time.

Les was born in Liverpool, England to Doug and Sadie Tinsley on June 30, 1949, six years after his twin siblings Val and Doug. He attended Speke Comprehensive and completed his secondary education at Old Swan Technical College where he studied Mechanical Engineering. He then started his apprenticeship at Hunt and Son but completed it at J. Lucas Company. Les immigrated to Toronto, Canada in 1971 to join good friend Frank Jones. Once he had earned enough money to do so, Les returned to England and then travelled with friends around Europe and Northern Africa on two separate occasions (1973-1975). Les loved to tell stories about this time and both friends and family loved to hear them.

In February 1977 Les met Sue Berry, the absolute love of his life! He began asking her to marry him in March of that year. He asked her on three occasions and she finally agreed on that third request in April and announced to the family over the July 1st weekend 1977. They were married on March 25, 1978. They welcomed daughter Elizabeth in 1980 and son Curtis in 1981. Conor, his first grandchild, was born to Liz and Patrick in 2016.

Les worked for multiple manufacturing and tooling companies during his career as a manager, sales rep and consultant. This led the family to move from Canada to Howell, Michigan in 1991; Farragut, Tennessee in 1992; Holly Springs, North Carolina in 1995; and finally to Clarkston, Michigan in 1997. He retired in April of 2017 after his March ALS diagnosis. He and Sue moved to Auburn Hills in September of 2021.

Les grew up in a household that valued family a great deal. The family, including aunts, uncles and cousins would often get together and play table tennis in the back garden or travelled to Ainsdale beach to picnic and play football. They would also holiday on a converted lifeboat called the “LESELSA” partially named for Les. This boat would travel along the Shropshire Union Canal between Ellesmere Port and Chester. These events made a significant impact on Les’ family values and love of travel. Both carried over into his own family.

Les was an avid soccer player and lifelong supporter of the Liverpool Football Club. He played organized league football in England as well several recreational leagues in Canada and the USA. Most recently the “Over 50’s” league in Rochester Hills until 2016, age 66. He was known for his “punny” sense of humor and “Les-isms” or bad jokes (we know you all loved them). Les had a deep love of music and the arts. He also enjoyed working with his hands either on a car engine, in the garden or home improvement projects. Prior and early into his ALS diagnosis you could often find Les at the Hamlin Pub on a Saturday and Sunday watching English Premier League Football having a pint with his good friends. Les was a true English gentleman and didn’t let his recent diagnosis change any of his outlook on life. He will be remembered for his sense of humor, immeasurable kindness, sunny outlook and love of life.

We believe Les is playing soccer free of his ALS constraints with Frank Jones and Trevor Knight. He is discussing the unfortunate placement of Liverpool versus Manchester United with Trevor and Everton’s near relegation with Frank. Reminiscing over family gatherings with those who have previously passed and playing with canine companions Gyp, born the same week as Les, Rusty, Big Al, Sunny, and Raleigh.

Les was predeceased by his father Douglas Tinsley, mother Sarah Tinsley (nee Lloyd), sister Valerie Taylor, and brother-in-law William Taylor.

Les will be greatly missed and fondly remembered by wife Suzanne Tinsley, daughter Elizabeth (Patrick) Moultrup, son Curtis Tinsley, grandson Conor Moultrup, brother Doug (Mavis) Tinsley, as well as many, many others.

A celebration of life for Les will be held at the Hamlin Pub in Rochester Hills (NW corner of Hamlin Rd and Rochester Rd) on July 23, 2023 from 10am to 2pm. In Lieu of flowers please consider a donation to ALS of Michigan, 24359 Northwestern Hwy., #100, Southfield, MI 48075. www.alsofmichigan.org

.Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.pixleyfh.com for the Tinsley family.