Joseph Leskovar, Sr. passed away Thursday evening, Nov. 29, 2012, comfortably and at home.

      Joe was born on Nov. 9, 1927, to Anton (Tony) and Anna (Lozar) Leskovar in Butte, which remained his lifelong home.

      Joe attended the Harrison Grade School in East Butte, and later, Butte High School.   Joe then enlisted in the Marines and was stationed in Honolulu, Hawaii, for two years.   During his service, Joe played football, received his pilot’s license, and learned how to paint automobiles.   Little did he know this experience would fuel a lifelong passion and career in the car business.   Upon his return to Butte, Joe worked at Wilson Motors before joining his father’s business, Central Auto Body Shop.   In 1957, Joe and his father, Tony, acquired the Edsel franchise on a handshake deal;   after one year, the Lincoln Mercury franchise was added.   Joe’s younger brother, Ted, later joined the family business and they expanded their operations in 1968, opening another dealership in Kennewick, Wash.   In 1975, the Honda franchise was added to the Butte dealership-making Leskovar Motors Montana’s oldest Honda dealer to date.   Joe was at one time the youngest car dealer in Butte, and at the time of his passing, he was the oldest car dealer in Butte.

      Upon returning from his service in the Marines, Joe’s life changed forever when he whistled at a sassy 5’10” redhead who walked into the American Legion.   After a brief courtship, Joe married the love of his life, Helen Mearns, on July 22, 1950.   With no experience whatsoever, and through a process of trial and error, Joe built his first home on his nights and weekends.   He enjoyed the process so much that he designed and built three more homes in Butte, a cabin at Canyon Ferry, “the cabin” at Flathead Lake, and the dealership building on Harrison Avenue — affectionately earning him the nickname “Mr. Fix-It.”

      Joe was remarkably generous, invariably charismatic, and a kind-hearted gentleman.   He often went, and truly enjoyed, going out of his way for others — whether strangers, customers, or his family.   He had a joke for everything, and he never took life too seriously.   Maybe that’s why he took such pleasure in the simple things:   telling a joke and making others smile, good friends, reading the newspaper, an ice-cold Heineken, laughing, soaking up the sunshine, a good James Bond flick, East Butte, a short stack of blueberry pancakes, telling stories, and of course, anything with an engine:   boats, motorcycles, planes, and cars.   How Joe loved his cars:   “You don’t have to make plans;   you aren’t on a schedule.   You just get in the car and go.   ” Although Joe loved to travel and discover new places, he was at home in Butte.   When referring to Butte, Joe often said, “I was fortunate enough to live in a big city and a small town, without ever having to move.”

      Joe is preceded in death by his wife and best friend, Helen;   his son, Joe Jr.;   his brothers, Anton Jr. (Babe) Leskovar of Butte and Edward Leskovar of Seattle;   and Carl Dilly, his son-in-law.

      He is survived by his daughter, Nancy Leskovar-Dilly;   his granddaughter, Carly Leskovar-Dilly and her fiancé, Ed McKenna;   his granddaughter, Jodi Leskovar-Archibald and her husband, Elliot Archibald;   his grandson, Sean Walsh and his wife, Jackie Walsh;   his great-grandson, Brady Walsh;   his daughter-in-law, Vicky Leskovar;   his brother and sister-in-law, Ted and Pat Leskovar, niece and nephew, Christy and Jeff Leskovar, all of Kennewick, Wash.;   his nephew and wife, Don and Karen Leskovar;   numerous nieces and nephews in the Seattle;   Kirk, Greg, Jorgette and Rene Boulet of Denver;   and his beloved pups, Spot, Oscar, Teddy and Marley.

      Funeral services will be held at St. Ann’s Catholic Church on Wednesday, Dec. 5, at 2 p.m.   The family will receive friends beginning at 1:30 p.m.   In lieu of flowers, memorials are requested to the Butte Animal Shelter, 699 Centennial Ave., Butte, MT 59701;   Easter Seals Highlands Hospice, 3703 Harrison Ave., Butte, MT 59701.

      Thank you to Julie and Bobbie Jo of Easter Seals Hospice for their time and loving care.   And thank you, Lucinda, for making his last few months so comfortable.

      Express condolences at www.mtstandard.com/obits