July 30, 1934 – April 5, 2022 Beloved husband, father, and grandfather, Phil Leslie passed at home in West Hills, wife Lila and son Andy at his side, at age 87.
From age 7, Phil grew up in the Hollywood Hills, attending Blessed Sacrament and Notre Dame High, even surviving polio. After a year at Loyola Marymount University, he was eager for entrepreneurial adventures, starting with delivering chlorine. But in 1954, rather than wait to be drafted, Phil volunteered for Military Service on his own schedule, stationed at Fort Lewis.
Upon return to Los Angeles, and after a false start that taught him more than any business school could, Phil Leslie started LESLIE’S SWIMMING POOL SUPPLIES with just $900, a savvy discount, and a strong will. With hard work, agile thinking, and a talent for choosing the right people, he grew his business into 65 stores across the San Fernando Valley and the nation.
Just as driven in private, a blind date with a visitor from Germany changed Phil’s life. He wooed and married Lila Linke that year on October 22, 1970 in her hometown of Sporke, Germany, nearly 52 happy years ago.
Making a home in Woodland Hills, then Tarzana, Lila and Phil’s three boys were his greatest pride and joy: Phil Jr. (1971-2017), Andy, and Matt (1975-2016) were always his priority. Whether fly-fishing together on the Owens River, exploring ancient ruins overseas, or touring our National Parks, Phil shared his constant curiosity, thirst for knowledge, and generous heart with his boys.
The son of Helen and Phil Leslie, he survived siblings Ann, Jane, and Suzi, but was far more than a cousin or uncle to dozens of Moloney, Kaplan, Coombs, Richwood, Leslie, Linke and Kluge relations. Phil was also a “work father” to his LESLIE’S employees, often supporting them in their own ventures. But he was “Poppy” to just one special person: Andy’s daughter Alexa. She made the go-getter’s retirement easier: hiking, fishing, playing checkers, and walking Bailey together, the two shared a unique bond.
Always active, fit, and healthy, he succumbed only to a battle with Parkinson’s. Grateful for a few weeks of Home Hospice, and a strong leader to the end, Phil Leslie did it his way.
Innovating his industry, inventing and patenting products, growing careers, and loved by his employees, Phil made the name LESLIE synonymous with clean swimming. He always shared the credit for his success with his people – but rarely shared the fact that he never learned to swim!
We will celebrate Phil Leslie’s wonderful life at St. Mel’s Parish on April 23rd, but will love and miss him forever.
Published by Los Angeles Times on Apr. 16, 2022.
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