FORT ANN – Leslie H. “Les” Saltsman, 76 of Fort Ann, passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, March 18, 2025 while working in the woods behind his house, as he enjoyed doing. Les was born in Johnstown, NY and was the son of the late Glenn and Harriet (Musgrave) Saltsman. He was a graduate of Fonda Fultonville High School and went on to college at Fulton Montgomery Community College, and then to SUNY Albany.
Les married his high school sweetheart, the former Jean Bobilin, on June 20, 1970. He first worked for Soil and Water in Johnstown, then worked for many years at the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation in Fisheries, based out of Warrensburg. He was a talented woodworker and loved hunting and working in the woods. Most of all, Les enjoyed spending time with his family.
In addition to his parents, he is predeceased by his sister, Ila; and his brothers, Paul and Arnold.
He is survived by his loving, caring, and supportive wife of almost 55 years, Jean Saltsman of Fort Ann; his three daughters, Cheryl Saltsman of Cincinnati, OH, Connie Saltsman and her wife, Bobbi of Nashville, TN, and Colleen Awa and her husband, Sam of Clifton Park; his three grandchildren, Blake Paulsen, Logan Saltsman, and Amaka Awa; a brother, Gerald Saltsman and his wife, Beatrice of Fonda; the Fierce Pitch Card Group; and his long-standing close friends and work colleagues, including Ron and Diana Gordon, Randy and Joan Stumvoll, Tom and Syd Melville, Burt Morehouse, and Terry and Shari Chase and many nieces and nephews.
The family would like to express their gratitude to the first responders including the West Fort Ann Volunteer Fire and Rescue and Fort Ann Fire and Rescue for their prompt response, and professionalism toward Les and his family.
Friends may call from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm on Saturday, March 22, 2025 at the Carleton Funeral Home, Inc., 68 Main Street in Hudson Falls. A funeral service will follow at 12:00 pm at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the West Fort Ann Fire and Rescue, 49 Joe Green Road, Fort Ann, NY 12827, or to the Fort Ann Rescue Squad, 11287 NY-149, Fort Ann, NY 12827.