Ladislav John "Lester" Poltak

Ladislav (Lester) John Poltak passed away on March 10, 2026, in Palm Desert, California. Born April 26, 1945, in Slovakia. Predeceased by Julianna Heine, Richard Heine and Marko Poltak. Lovingly remembered by his wife, Guylaine Lees; daughters, Celeste Poltak (Ali Ehsassi) and Natalie Fox; grandson, Tyber Fox; stepdaughter, Olivia Lees (Marco Marini); sister, Catherine Colborne; niece, Sarah Colborne; and nephew, Adam Colborne. As a young boy, Les left Slovakia with his mother, Julianna, for Austria, and they eventually immigrated to Canada in May 1950, first to Edmonton before settling in Vancouver. Les attended Vancouver College and then the University of British Columbia. He practiced as a Certified General Accountant for many years, but his entrepreneurial spirit ended up getting the better of him as he loved to build. Les went on to work with Julianna and Richard on Telemark Enterprises in Whistler for a number of years before building and operating family-owned hotels in Kamloops. In his later years, Les and Guylaine enjoyed time at their home in Palm Desert, surrounded by sunshine and many dear friends. Les was warm, kind, honest, authentic, and a tower of strength for his family who he cherished dearly. One of his purest joys in life was watching Tyber play hockey, of whom he was beyond proud. He was quick to laugh, always saw the best in people, stayed positive, dispensed cherished wisdom, loved to dance, and was always up for an adventure on the road (just like Julianna and Natalie). Father, husband, uncle, brother and grandfather, he leaves an enduring legacy by the lives he so profoundly touched. Loved so deeply by so many, he leaves a memory nobody can forget. A celebration of Les' life will be arranged in the weeks to come, with a time and place to be provided.