Leslie “Les” Howard Brinkley, 79, passed away peacefully on August 3, 2022, at University Hospitals Elyria Medical Center in Elyria, Ohio.

Les was born on January 29, 1943, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the son of Howard and Helen (Pogozalis) Brinkley.

He graduated from Grove City High School in 1960, he loved football and was a member of the 1959 championship team and he also excelled at wrestling. Les proudly served his country by enlisting in the United States Navy. After being honorably discharged from the service, he worked for the National Cash Register Company in Youngstown, Ohio. Les continued his education by attending Kent State University where he received his degree in Education.    

Les worked as a Vocational Education teacher in the Electrical Trades for twenty-seven years before his retirement from teaching in 2001. His love and passion for teaching continued even after his initial retirement as he worked for the Ohio Department of Education as a consultant until his true retirement in 2010.

Les was a volunteer for many of his kids’ activities as they were growing up; from coaching the midget league football teams to helping with the Buckeye Band Boosters – if it had to do with his kids, he would sign up to help.  His love of woodworking led him to join the Woodworker’s of Central Ohio, he was a life-time member of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, and a Volunteer Firefighter for Ashtabula Township.  He loved his family above all, he was a proud and loving companion, dad, grandpa, brother and friend.

He is survived by his loving children: Jan (Tony) Ieraci, Brian Brinkley, Lori (George) Blakey and Todd (Jennifer) Brinkley; his loving companion of over 30 years, Janine White, and her daughters: Kylee (Dennis) Schwent and Kara (Richard) Jackson, whom he loved like his own; his brothers: John (Vicky) Brinkley and Dale (Laura) Brinkley and ten wonderful grandchildren who absolutely stole his heart.

He is preceded in death by his parents, his daughter, Brenda K. Brinkley in 1993 and his sister, Gerry Wike.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, August 9, 2022, from 11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. with a funeral service to follow at 12:30 p.m. at the Ashtabula Home of Fleming and Billman Funeral Director’s, 526 West Prospect Street, Ashtabula, Ohio. Burial to immediately follow the service at Ridgeview Cemetery, 7205 Austinburg Road, Ashtabula, Ohio where he will receive military burial honors.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Ashtabula Disabled American Veterans (DAV), envelopes will be available at the funeral home.