Vincent L. (Leskosky) Leslie

POLAND, OH - Vincent L. Leslie, 92, passed away Saturday, April 16, 2016, at Omni Manor Health Care Center in Youngstown.

Vince was born in Youngstown on May 21, 1923, a son of the late Andrew and Elizabeth Skotko Leskosky, and was a lifelong area resident.

Vince graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School in 1942. He then served his country as a Sergeant in World War II with the U.S. Army Air Corps in the North African Theatre.

Vince spent his entire career in golf, starting out in 1936 as a caddie at Mill Creek Golf Course. An excellent golfer, he was runner-up in the Ohio Amateur Championship in 1948 and was co-medalist in 1951. That same year he captured the Eastern Ohio-Western Pennsylvania Amateur Championship. 

In 1952, Vince turned professional and became a member of the Professional Golf Association (PGA). He was hired as Assistant Golf Professional at Mill Creek Golf Course in 1952 and the following year was named Head Golf Professional at Salem Golf Club, where he scored a course record of 29 for nine holes. Vince later served as Head Golf Professional at Fonderlac Country Club from 1964 to 1977, and finished his career as Golf Professional at the Henry Stambaugh Municipal Golf Course, from 1978 to 1989. 

One of the most outstanding achievements in Vince’s career was winning the Youngstown PGA Crown in five tournaments. He once scored a record-breaking nine under-par round of 62 at Yankee Run Golf Course, and during his playing days, Vince tallied an amazing 11 holes-in-one. 

Vince was a member of the PGA of America, United States Golf Association, American Legion of Poland, Youngstown Saxon Club, and Holy Family Parish in Poland.

Vince is survived by his wife of 44 years, Nelma (Shaffer) Leslie; sons, Vincent Jr., Michael, Thomas (Teresa), and Kenneth Leskosky; a sister, Helen Walsh; grandchildren, Joseph, Kyle, Michael, and Brittany Leskosky; a brother-in law, C. Kenneth (Barbara) Shaffer; and several nieces and nephews. 

Besides his parents, Vincent was preceded in death by sisters, Kathryn Leslie and Mary Dawson, and brothers, Alfred and Stephen Leslie.

Family and friends are welcome to attend a Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated Saturday, April 23 at 10 a.m. at Holy Family Parish in Poland, with Monsignor William J. Connell officiating. 

Interment will follow at Poland Riverside Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of the Valley, 5190 Market Street, Boardman, Ohio 44512.

The Leslie family would like to extend a very special and heartfelt thank you to the “angels” of Hospice of the Valley, and to the entire staff at Omni Manor Health Care Center for their exceptional care and unwavering compassion.