Leslie Lee Bartosh

Leslie Bartosh, beloved husband, father and friend, chef and educator, amateur ham radio operator, photographer and fishing enthusiast, passed away January 30, 2025, surrounded by family and loved ones. 

He was preceded in death by his parents Marie and Allen Bartosh and nephew Michael Bartosh. He is survived by his wife Sandra Bartosh, daughter Eleanor Bartosh, beloved cat Blu, brother Michael Bartosh and family, and stepmother Doris Bartosh.  

Leslie was born in Victoria, Texas, in 1954. As a child, he was a boy scout who loved to play baseball and fish, and his lifelong love of food began around 10 years old when he first started cooking. In early adulthood, he became an avid surfer and lover of the ocean while living in Hawaii. Later on, he lived in both Austin and Galveston, Texas, where he met his wife Sandra and later started a family. In 1996, he graduated Summa Cum Laude from Johnson & Wales University with an Associate of Applied Science in Culinary Arts. Leslie was a lover of food, and loved taking care of people through food. He often said getting to play with food was his favorite job in the world, and enjoyed experimenting with many different types of foods and cuisines. Whether he was making "house made" bacon or sausage, turning fresh garden peppers into dried herb mixes, mining his extensive cookbook collection for new ideas, or making his favorite dishes for family dinner, he approached it all with curiosity, passion and creativity. He was also a long time educator, mentor, and teacher who touched the lives of the many who went through his Culinary Arts classes and programs at Galveston Community College, Alvin Community College, and most recently Rice University among others. He loved sharing his knowledge of food and technique, while learning from others in turn. 

His expertise and passion were recognized most recently in 2020 with his induction into the prestigious American Academy of Chefs, an honors society for the American Culinary Federation – a recognition that truly humbled him. Leslie was also a member of the Texas Chefs Association and a Conseiller Culinaire Provincial Honoraire with the Chaine Des Rotisseurs. 

Outside of the kitchen, Leslie loved to "play radio". He was known on the ham radio airwaves as AD5WB where he made contact with over 300 countries around the world. He particularly enjoyed the Museum Ships On The Air weekend, where he could broadcast from the 1877 Tall Ship Elissa at the Galveston Historic Seaport. 

Leslie always said that, when he died, he wanted to have a party and for people to celebrate his life rather than being sad. Please join us in celebrating his life by cooking your favorite dish or going to your favorite restaurant with your loved ones tonight. As Dad would say, "Bon appetit, y'all!" A memorial will be held at 12pm on Saturday, February 8, 2025, at J. Levy & Termini Funeral Home in Galveston, Texas. Visitation begins at 11am. 

Our family sends a special thank you to everyone who has supported Leslie and our family with the utmost kindness and compassion throughout this time. Thank you all from the bottom of our hearts. 

“It’s been a good run.”

“Aloha”

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