LASZLO (LESLIE) WITT

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LASZLO (LESLIE) WITT Peacefully at Sunnybrook Medical Center, Toronto on Tuesday, December 27, 2005. Laszlo (Leslie) Witt of Toronto, in his 73rd year. Husband of the late Viola Witt. Dear father of Sylvia and her husband Jim Sankey of Winnipeg. Dear brother of Eva and her husband Laci Reti of Montreal. Survived by family in Europe. Terribly missed by his extended family Pascal and Evita Richer of Toronto, and by his AVIS family. As a youth, Leslie was considered a chess prodigy. After emigrating from Hungary with his family in 1956, he continued to play chess internationally. In 1962, '63, '65, and '67, he was Quebec Open champion, and in 1962 he was Canadian Open champion with a rare perfect score. He was a member of the Canadian team at the World Chess Olympiads in 1964 (Tel Aviv), 1966 (Havana), and 1970 (Siegen, Germany). In 1969, he was recognized as an International Master. In later years, he enjoyed playing backgammon and painting in watercolours, where he was considered a gifted amateur by his teachers. Cremation followed by private family funeral. Memorial donations to the Chess Federation of Canada would be appreciated by the family. Funeral arrangements entrusted to: OSHAWA FUNERAL SERVICE Thornton Chapel 847 King St. West (905) 721-1234

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jan 07, 2006