LESLIE ALBERT KRAHN

Condolences & Memories (21 entries)

• I met Les back in the mid 80's and thought he was a long lost uncle. I got along with him really well and had alot of fun talking about cars, drinking and woman. I just found out a couple days ago that he passed away and will miss those visits at his body shop. So sorry that you left us behind. I wish we could have gone for one last cruise down Portage or Main and did some street racing. - Posted by: Norm Smith (old friend) on: Apr 23, 2013

• I had only known Les for about 2 1/2 years but we became fast friends after I sold him the seats from my 65 Nova for his 65 Nova.That common interest made his shop and his stories my favorite pitstop at the end of a work day.We'd talk about the good old days and pretty much EVERTHING else like only Les could do.I'd stop in for a quick one and 2 hours later we would still be laughing and yacking away like a couple old ladies.I'll miss that.Condolences to the family and Terry. - Posted by: Marcel Himbeault (Friend) on: Feb 01, 2013

• Hung around Lester and Bobby in The 70's, 80's. One of a kind, a real artist. Seen him at a few car shows in the last decade always a comedian. He will be missed. Godspeed - Posted by: John Sien (old friend) on: Feb 01, 2013

• Les-Toasted you at 2:00 PM today with Coronas in Puerto Vallarta. Your wit will be missed. - Posted by: Chris Aldridge (friend) on: Jan 29, 2013

• I met Les doing some exhaust work on St. Mary's Road on a early 90's longbed pick-up which the front started in a yellow orange and ended up with a blood red rear. 9 blends of paint from front to back for a very noteworthy paint job. The customer used it as his fire response truck so Les did the paint job for "_hits and giggles". After that meeting, it was always good to see what he giggled at next. All the best to Terry and his family. That's what Les would want. - Posted by: Terry Wilson (friend) on: Jan 29, 2013

• I'm going to miss the good times at the shop. I was going to sell my motorcycle (with the coolest paint job in the city), but I think I will keep it now. RIP buddy!! - Posted by: Jim (Friend) on: Jan 29, 2013

• Just had to do it your way eh? Be well Les. And say hi to your mom, I always loved her Sunday Dinners. My condolences to you and your family Bobby, take care of each other. - Posted by: Caroline (Friend) on: Jan 29, 2013

• I just heard today, I will never forget the racing, the partying, or the bench racing my friend. Godspeed - Posted by: Wallace Brooker (friend) on: Jan 29, 2013

• I met lester 9 years ago when I was looking for someone to paint my cuda. He was the only guy of 3 or 4 I met I felt really comfortable with. Over the 18 months the car was there we became friends as I stopped in to work on it and usually ended up visiting with him and Terry or going across the street for the ballet. My wife and kids also became friends with him as he always had great stories and loved showing my kids the different tools. We will all miss him. Myles and family - Posted by: myles () on: Jan 29, 2013

• I met Les 40 years ago street racing on portage ave. I ran out of gas racing him and he thought this was so hilarious he drove me to the gas station to buy gas. Over the next 20 years we spent a lot of time together sharing many experiences from road trips that were similar to Fear and Loathing adventures to building cars and later racing together. We even lived together for a short time and years later Les was the best man at my wedding. Les was very talented but he also had a strong heart and I thought of him often. He was an original and he will be missed. - Posted by: Brian Mac Millan (Old Friend) on: Jan 28, 2013

• Lester, I will miss the many times visiting you at your shop. To walk in your shop was a treat. Every time was an experience of how things are done on a rod. Just enjoyed to see the various stages of the different projects you had on the go. Your craftmanship was outstanding. Your knowledge of how to do it right will be missed. Cruz on my friend and keep between the ditches. Earl - Posted by: Earl (Skeeter) (Good Friend) on: Jan 28, 2013

• As with a lot of Les's friends, our relationship started in a business sense with cars but turned into friendship. He painted a number of vehicles for me and was the "master artist". Every job was to his best and always turned out to perfection. Since I moved from the Peg, we have spoken a few times, always walking away from our conversations laughing as I'm sure many of us did with his never ending stories. It is truly unfortunate a man so young, with such talent, and such a lot to give in life is taken away so soon. R.I.P. my friend. As always, it was a pleasure to know you and I'm glad you were a part of my life.......Gerry - Posted by: Gerry Demski (Friend) on: Jan 28, 2013

• My late husband, Brian Bartel, was a friend of Les. And Les was a friend to him. When Brian was ill, he spent a great deal of time looking back and talking about his past. He had not seen Les in many years but he shared lots of stories with me about their various adventures and misadventures. He did actually see Les once just before he died (wouldn't you know it - at a car show!) and he was so happy about it. I'm sure that Les and Brian are together now, sharing stories and racing. I won't say rest in peace - instead I'll say, Keep driving! - Posted by: Kathie Bartel (My husband Brian Bartel) on: Jan 28, 2013

• I will miss Les' teasing and his opinions on anything. A phenominal artist, a good friend and one of a kind. - Posted by: Dave Emberley (Friend and Customer) on: Jan 27, 2013

• Les was a very special guy, a good friend, with a heart of gold, razor sharp wit, and a unique sense of humor. I will miss him dearly. - Posted by: Gina Rémillard (Good Friend) on: Jan 27, 2013

• Too early for a person to leave, I will remember all the good and funny times... - Posted by: Hank Glaw (Friend) on: Jan 27, 2013

• As the Dad of one of your "crew" I'd give anything to have you all in our home again filling you up with Chinese food on Superbowl Sunday. R.I.P. Buddy 'til we meet again. Mr. M - Posted by: Rick Meyer (Friend) on: Jan 27, 2013

• I have many fond memories of Les through my brother, Brian Bartel. I remember all too well their love of cars and yes the racing curcuit.I'm so sorry for your loss. Rest in peace Les..... - Posted by: Sharon Doak nee (Bartel) (My brother Brian Bartel) on: Jan 27, 2013

• Well you have gone and disappointed us all by checking out on the couch instead of a spectacular high speed car crash as we all would have expected. We are now going to have to work on our projects without your guidance or opinion. We will always be asking ourselves is this how Les would do it, would Les approve. He always seemed to see the finished product the color, the stance, the wheels and would just ask what if you did this or that, just to tease you and make you think a little bit more. Sometimes he would just ignore what you asked for and do it his way which would always be way cooler. It was a privilege for my family and I to have known Les for so long and a heartbreaker to have our time cut so short. So many things not done. Drive on my friend. Dig - Posted by: Steve Meyer (Friend) on: Jan 26, 2013

• The conversations will be missed. - Posted by: Norm Shaw (Friend & Customer) on: Jan 26, 2013

• As you all know Les & I were very close as young adults. We shared a lot of good times together. As we aged, we still stayed in touch, but because I lived in the States, we seldom communicated. I spent time with him whenever I came into Winnipeg, which was usually a short visit each summer. He shared his passion with me as he did with everyone and a large part of it rubbed off. Les had the gift of gab. He could talk anyone's ear off, if they were willing to listen. Even though we are so much different, I always cherished our friendship. I respected him, because he lived how he wanted to and no one could convince him to change. He was definitely well respected within his peer group. He was a fountain of knowledge when it came to cars. He was a talented individual and he always had a plan. Les had a huge heart and if you got to see it, you were one of the privileged ones. I was there for him when both his parents passed and he was there for me. He was one of a kind! Les, my old buddy, my partner in crime, my teacher, my leader, my follower, I will miss you as long as I live. With all my friendship and respect, Les Kaplan - Posted by: Les Kaplan (Good Friend) on: Jan 26, 2013