Leslie Bickham

Leslie Bickham, 89, of Venice Florida, passed away on April 3, 2014. Leslie was born June 21, 1924 in Chadwell Heath, England to Alice and Alfred Bickham. At the age of 17 he joined the Royal Air Force, trained as a Gunner, and served during WWII. Soon after the war, he met Patricia and the two of them began their life-long adventure together with moving to America; first to New York, then to Massachusetts to raise their family, then settling in retirement in Venice Florida. He was a mechanical engineer, and owned several businesses over the years. Les discovered his love of fishing and boating when he came to America; this was a passion that he shared with family and friends and it continued throughout his life. He was also quite talented in building or fixing anything; a skill his children greatly appreciated and benefitted from. Above all else, Leslie was greatly respected as the rock of solid foundation for his family. He was preceded in death by Patricia Bickham, his wife of 62 years, and his son James Bickham. He is survived by his daughters Lesley Conant, Caroline Modha, and Patricia Winkler; son-in-law Christopher Conant, daughter-in-law Debbie Bickham; and grandchildren Mindy, JD, Teasha, Deanna, Devon, Elisha, and Mariah; as well as two great grand children Matthew and Brody, and his sister Joyce Crage of England. A family memorial will be held at a later date in the 1000 Islands. As a strong family man, he lived his life to serve his family, and was dearly loved.