Thomas Kinsey Leslie, age 39, of Wooster passed away unexpectedly of natural causes on June 11th, 2020.
Tom was born March 2, 1981 in Wooster, the youngest child of Cecil and Beth (Evans) Leslie. He briefly lived in Cleveland in his 20 s but was otherwise a lifelong resident of Wooster. He graduated in 1999 from Wooster High School and was a highly skilled craftsman. His love of fixing and building things began early as he was known to disassemble and fully rebuild alarm clocks and other household items at the age of four. Tom would constantly follow his dad around helping and learning his many talents as they restored and remodeled their historic log cabin home.
As an adult Tom had many career interests and worked as a skilled carpenter doing historic restorations with Christian and Sons Inc., and assembled watches among many duties at Time Will Tell Watches. He had been an office manager and head of Human Resources with A.B.W. Landscaping. Another talent he picked up from his dad was his eye and passion for antiques and had previously worked at Uptown Downtown Antique Emporium and maintained his booth in the shop.
Tom had a passion for living and enjoyed traveling, camping and attending music concerts and spending time with his girlfriend. He was a collector of sterling silver, vintage furniture and stereo equipment. He loved searching antique and thrift shops for treasures and driving around in his Triumph Spitfire sports car he lovingly restored. Never one to sit around, Tom was always thinking about the next project and doing what he could to help his family, friends and even a stranger in need. He had an extraordinary bond with his five year old niece, Aria, and had most recently built her an amazing bunk bed.
Tom is survived by his parents Cecil and Beth, sister Caroline Leslie and niece Aria Leslie, all in Wooster, brother John Leslie of Aiken, SC, loving girlfriend Crystal Murphy of Barberton, and countless friends.
McIntire, Bradham and Sleek has assisted the family with cremation and no services are planned at this time.
Online condolences may be left for the family at www.mcintirebradhamsleek.com.
Memorial Contributions
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My deepest sympathies to Tom’s family and everyone that loved him. He was an extremely loyal and generous friend that I had the pleasure of knowing for over ten years. He’d visit me in every city I moved too and had a sense of adventure I admire and goes unmatched. Tom raved about his beautiful spunky niece and enjoyed building and creating things for her, recently sharing pictures with us of the epic bunk bed! He was a truly talented outdoorsman and our yearly camping trips will forever pale in comparison to the experience he’d create for his companions. Tom taught me a lot about myself, how to live outside-the-box, opened my eyes to music, and how to be a better friend and daughter. His unique ideas, creative solutions, sense of humor, and infinite talents will be sorely missed at ABW. I feel so lucky to have crossed paths with Tom as he was sincerely one-of-a-kind.
With caring,
Amanda Hamilton
Our hearts are truly saddened by the passing of Tom. He was much more than a co-worker to all of us. He was a dear friend and someone we could always count on, on or off the job. His years of lending his craftsmanship, meticulous attention to detail and joyful spirit, helped make TimeWillTell successful, and a great place to work. He was a bright light, a beautiful soul, and we are all better for knowing him. Our hearts go out to his family and loved ones.
With much love,
Stacy, Heidi, and Stephanie
Very sorry for your loss. I remember Tom from school in the 1990s, he was a kind soul even at a young age.
Respectfully,
Derek Somogy
My husband and I had the pleasure of hanging out with Tom & Crystal. He was full of knowledge about everything. Smart as a whip and the way his eyes would twinkle as he looked at Crystal. He would take her hand into his and hang on tight. Always opened the car door for her. Treated her with total respect. Just a great person, inside & out. His family raised a good man. My heart breaks with yours and Crystals.
I read with great interest your touching obituary. A Remarkable young man and a remarkable life. He made the world a better place. I am deeply sorry for your loss, and my thoughts are with you and your family.
Time cannot tarnish the sterling name of a good man. Much love to the Leslie family at this time of tragic loss. My prayers are with you all….
Oh no! Not Tom! The collective hearts of so many people are broken over his passing. We only met Tom when he began working at Uptown Downtown, and quickly looked forward to seeing him and chatting about everything! What a sweet and wise and gentle young man. Reading the loving obituary made for him gave us even more regrets about not knowing him better. What a fine person he was! Everyone who knew Tom was lucky.
He came out to our place once, to give Jimmy a ride in his Spitfire, after they had a talk about Jimmy’s beloved old days of owning MG Midgets. I loved seeing their two happy faces, when they came back from their joy ride in the Spitfire.
What a guy. We are deeply sorry for your loss, his dear family and close friends. May you carry his sweet memory in your hearts always. We will, too! Jimmy and Susi.
So sorry to hear about Tom. There are no words
So sorry to hear about Tom! A wonderful young man with many talents.
Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers!
My deepest condolences to the family. Prayers and hugs.
My deepest sympathy to the entire Leslie family on this sudden, painful loss. Tom was one of the most inquisitive students with whom I had the pleasure to interact with in the classroom. Born out of an innate curiosity, Tom was an active learner. I was blessed to have been his teacher for a year.
Dear Cecil,
I was so saddened to hear of Tom’s passing. He was a dear friend to Early, who was a dear friend to me. So, he was a dear friend to me. I am happy to say that I have some silver earrings that I purchased from Tom at Uptown Downtown in Wooster. I also enjoyed some delicious duck eggs that he gave us when chickens and ducks were a new passion of his. He was a gentle soul. I know how close you were and I grieve for you and your family. And, I grieve for the Uptown Downtown family who will surely miss him. Tish
I keep trying to think of what to write here but I am coming up short. This news came to me late and it is absolutely heartbreaking to lose such a wonderful friend and for the world to lose such a kind and clever man. I was lucky to have known him and I send my love and condolences to everyone who loved him.
I knew Tom from Cleveland, we had worked together. He had an eye for antiques and unique finds. We had a lot of fun at concerts, exploring the works, and did a lot of thrifting & antiquing together. I am so sad to hear of his passing. I hope he’s finding treasures beyond this world. Carolyn