Updated: Leslie Erick Ward, 60

Leslie Erick Ward, 60, long-time West Bloomfield photographer, marathon runner, yoga devotee and author of MyTown Miracles, Profiles in Possibilities, whose friends called him the “Energizer Bunny” succumbed to metastatic skin cancer.

In his book, published by Whitefish Press in 2010, (mytownmiracles.com) he photographed Bill Ford, executive chairman of Ford Motor Company, Detroit Mayor Dave Bing, Crain’s Detroit Business Publisher Mary Kramer and community activist Grace Lee Boggs along with Rick Rogers, president of the College for Creative Studies. To maintain his energy, he ran 31 marathons and maintained a daily yoga practice at and drummed on weekends with a band at Dick O’Dow’s in Birmingham and other places.  

He served on the board of the College for Creative Studies Alumni Council in Detroit and served meals at least once a month to a homeless shelter with members of the in West Bloomfield. He also coached self expression and leadership courses at Landmark Education in Livonia. His last photographic exhibit was featured in late January at the Detroit Athletic Club’s gallery in Detroit.

"It was an honor to curate his recent show at the DAC. Les was always in great spirits, especially at the opening reception. His exhibition and book inspired everyone. I am happy to say," wrote Joe Schaden, industrial designer and board member of College for Creative Studies, on Ward’s tribute page. 

Ward spent several years studying personal growth to energize his business, Les Ward Photography. At Landmark Education in Livonia, Center Manager Mickye Mathis said: "Les sparked our imagination to go beyond what we ever saw possible in our life. He did so by leading his life that way. He leaves his family, friends, clients and those of us lucky enough to have been his subjects in photographs filled with love. We all have been contributed to by his vision, resolve and gentleness."

Among his finest moments in his battle against a virulent cancer, he arranged with Detroit Free Press Publisher Paul Anger to stand on the finish line and watch the Marathon last October. He finished in less than four hours in 25 of the Detroit foot races another six races elsewhere. Before he became ill he was planning to run a marathon in Paris.

His friend, freelance writer Maureen McDonald referred to him as the Energizer Bunny because he could run 12 miles in the West Bloomfield Nature Preserve at 7 a.m., spend a whole day photographing people, take in a yoga class in late afternoon and then accompany a rock band till the wee hours of the night. "He never did anything half way," she said.

Through the years, Ward won numerous local and national creative industry citations including a Mobious Award and several International Addy and Caddy Awards (now, the local D Award). He has been selected several times by a jury for inclusion in the prestigious Communications Arts Photo Annual. His MyTown Miracles portraits appeared three consecutive years on display at Cobo Center during the North American Auto Show in Detroit.

Ward studied industrial advertising design at the Society of Arts and Crafts (now College for Creative Studies) In Detroit. He is a graduate of Cass Technical High School in Detroit. 

"He was, and will always be, my biggest inspiration in life. Even thought he his no longer with us I hope he continues to inspire others with the memories they have shared," said his daughter, Ericka Ward, 21, a student at Oakland University who resides in Birmingham.

Funeral arrangements through McCabe Funeral Home are scheduled to take place at 12:30 p.m. Saturday in Prince of Peace Catholic Church, 4305 Walnut Lake Rd., West Bloomfield. A luncheon will follow ceremonies.

Copies of his book are available through his website, mytownmiracles.com.  The $75 book will offset funeral arrangements.