ABEL A. LESLIE ABEL, Age 68, of Canton died April 9, 2013. Les is survived by wife Mary Ann, to whom he was married for 33 years. In addition to his wife, he is survived by three children; Joshua (Julianna), Hannah Delis (Michael), and Leah (Max Rehfus). Les was dedicated to providing mental health treatment, education, and supportive services to individuals, children, and families throughout our community. He served as the Executive Director of the Stark County Community Mental Health Board from 1978 to 2008. Les served on boards and committees for mental health agencies, treatment centers, and community organizations. He was chair of the Mercy Medical Center Institutional Review Board, a member of: the Governor's Council on Juvenile Justice, the Stark County Health Department's Health Committee and ACHIEVE Initiative, the Stark County Bar Association's Grievance Committee, the Program Committee of Trillium Family Solutions, the Crisis Intervention and Recovery Center Board, and various Ohio Department of Mental Health committees. He served as president of the Ohio Association of County Behavioral Health Authorities. Les was also a consultant for the Center for Innovative Practice, Institute for the Study of Prevention of Violence at Kent State University's school of Public Health. Les was born January 9, 1945, in New Philadelphia, Ohio to parents Aloysius and Marion (Valley) Abel. Les studied for the Roman Catholic priesthood at St. Fidelis College and Seminary (Herman, PA), St. Charles Borromeo (Columbus, OH) where he earned an AB in philosophy and minor in classical languages, North American College and Pontifical Gregorian University (Rome, Italy). Les later changed his career path and attended Kent State University where he earned a bachelor's degree in psychology and master of education in school psychology. Of all of his accomplishments, Les was most proud of his family.