February 20, 1946 – June 6, 2025

It is with great sadness, that we announce the passing of James Peter Letersky, who left us unexpectedly on June 6, 2025, after a brief illness. Jim was 79 years old, and he leaves behind a legacy of kindness, wit, and a deep love for life—and cars.

He is survived by the “love of his life” Carol Taylor; his son Dallas and best friend and daughter Nicole (Matt); mother of his children Carolyn Flanders; sister, Janet (Jerry) Tizzard; as well as nieces, nephews, cousins, and a multitude of friends who were lucky enough to know him.

Born in Spirit River, Alberta, Jim spent his childhood on the farm. He graduated with a degree in Social Work from the University of Alberta and dedicated many years to helping others through his work. He also briefly ran a garage in Grande Prairie. He later went on to work in community development, where he left a lasting impact on countless projects and countless people. Jim’s work was known for its results, but it was his stories that everyone remembered—whether they involved clients, car rallies, or impromptu proposals to the government.

Speaking of which, Jim’s quick mind and penchant for solving problems led him and a couple of friends to draft a proposal for a government project in the North with the goal of assisting inventors. Not only did they get it approved, but they also established the Center for Research and Innovation. Jim worked on numerous government contracts, all while juggling the challenges of keeping his love of cars and racing alive.

And if you knew Jim, you knew that no event was complete without a car involved. Whether it was watching Formula 1 races from the comfort of his own couch or participating in rallies. One notable rally was one that he helped organize on the Alaska Highway. Jim was a true motorsport enthusiast. He traveled to watch Formula 1 races in Phoenix, Vancouver, Daytona Beach, and even England, often bringing his daughter along for adventures. If he wasn’t watching cars race, he was probably watching the Blue Jays, Edmonton Oilers, or Edmonton Elks play on TV. We imagine Jim is up there right now cheering the Oilers on to finally win the Stanley Cup this year.

Though Jim’s death leaves a hole in our hearts, we take solace in knowing that he lived a full life, one filled with joy, love, and a healthy dose of humor. We’ll miss his quick wit, his laugh, and his ability to make any story—no matter how small—sound like a legendary tale.

Jim was predeceased by his parents, Nick and Nettie Letersky. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him and will forever remain in our hearts.

Please join us for his Celebration of Life on Friday, June 13 at 1:00 pm at Bear Creek Funeral Home, 11802 – 99 Ave, Grande Prairie, Alberta. For those unable to attend in person, a livestream will be provided on the Bear Creek website at the same time.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you take a moment to enjoy your favorite sporting event or to make a donation to a local children’s charity, to honour Jim’s love for children or both.

Care entrusted to Bear Creek Funeral Home 780-830-7742 info@bcfh.ca

• Date : 2025-06-06
• Location : Grande Prairie, AB

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