Christopher “Ironman” Francis Leitch Passed away June 18th 2024.
He was born November 11th 1955 in Glen Cove, New York.
As a young boy he moved to Orlando Florida in 1959 with his parents and siblings.
A Giant of a Man in both stature and heart, Chris would earn the nickname “Ironman” from numerous feats of strength throughout his life. He was loving Father, Husband, Step Father, Brother and Son with the patience of a saint. His three sons constantly tested the limits of how much he really had, to this day no limit was ever determined. Some of his favorite pastimes were working on things with his kids, and taking them fishing and swimming in lake Fairview and the numerous springs in the state. He enjoyed nothing more than being in the water on hot days.
As lifelong Mechanic, and Jack of all trades, Chris would spend his free time tinkering with anything he could find to repair, the older the better to him. There wasn’t much he couldn’t fix, and if there was, “it was junk anyways”. He refused to buy almost anything new, preferring to repair and “upcycle” things before it was the cool thing to do. With that said, he loved to collect “stuff” from antique fishing reels and outboard motors, to dirt bikes and lawn equipment. He always had the belief that somebody will need it one day and he would gladly give it away to someone in need. especially giving and repairing bikes to the underserved kids in his neighborhood.
Chris was a prankster and loved telling Jokes. Sometimes the more vulgar the better for him, as he never had much of a filter, often laughing his way through as he told them. He would often play pranks on anyone he thinks he could pull one over on. From scaring his daughters with fake spiders and fishing worms, to putting superglue on his buddies steering wheels. He just loved a good laugh even if it was at his own expense.
He is survived by his wife Zenaida Leitch, Sons Christopher Leitch (Sarah), Craig Leitch, Cory Leitch, Zeni, Melinda, Judith, sister Mary Ann Hall(Michael) nephews Stephen and Kevin, Brother John Leitch, Jr. (Jane), Sister Amy Jo Lucas (Paul) nieces Sarah and Heather, and 15 Grand Children.
This heritage started 67 years ago with Pastor Herbert F. Loomis, who founded the First Baptist Church of Daytona Beach, Florida, in 1934. In 1938 Francis E. Loomis, son of Pastor Herbert F. Loomis, received his license to practice Mortuary Science and in 1941 established Loomis Funeral Home of Winter Garden, FL. 
420 W Main St
Apopka, FL 32712-3452
Melinda Rodriguez says
Love you dad!!! You are greatly missed!!!
Mark Carter says
I grew up with Chris in Plantation Estates, in Orlando, Fl. He occupied one of my ten fingers, representing your closest friends in life. “Ironman” was one nickname he was adorned with, but he was also called “Gorilla”,due to his exceptional strength. One night we had a flat tire on his VW bug,and with no jack, I changed the rear tire while Chris lifted the car by the rear bumper. This is no exaggeration or fib. He once took a ten pound bass out of Lake Lovely, using a baseball bat. He crawled up on the fish bed, knowing which cattail it was by, and clubbed it in the head. I would not have believed it, if not having seen it myself.
We spent many great nights at the catfish pond field, just being crazy kids, and I cherish the memories. Back then life was simple, and we needed little other than each other’s company, and a case of Budweiser. A beer can looked like a salt shaker in ironman’s hand. Chris would do anything for his friends, and I will miss him dearly. I will also miss the long phone chats with him.
I will see you again on the other side brother……with love, Mark Carter🙂
Smitty Coachman says
We became friends when Chris worked next door at Truck Lube 1, where “Buttercup” was the appointed nickname from his fellow wrenchers. Everything well said above fits like a glove for Chris. For over 20 years he helped us at Peninsula Metal Finishing with any and all things asked, both personal and company related, and became a member of our family. Always a communicator, calling or dropping by, just “checking in”.
My fears for Chris grew when my messages in June went unanswered, as it was the silence that echoed his fate. God bless you Chris for who you were and the lives you made better.