Chris

Chris Levitt raises a glass

Christopher Paul Levitt

8/14/1977 — 5/6/2007, St. Andrews Tavern and Coed Football Team Mate. Rest in Peace.

Our world here in Orlando has been rocked this week by the very unexpected and wasteful taking of life.

We are all in mourning. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends during this difficult and painful time. He was, and will always be, one of the people you never forget. Many of us today are feeling emotions that are awash with shock, pain, hurt and sadness. Emotions that, in time, will be replaced with memories of a good friend and team mate.

Chris was a guy with character, a quick whit and a permanent smile. He always entertained with tales of his great adventures, of which there were many.

He will be sadly missed at the pub, and on the field, where he was always guaranteed to give 100% (and usually more!). Only one week ago he scored a cracker of a goal that he relived with us all many times, a goal that apparently would have ensured a trial for his beloved Leeds United.

And he was always there to back you up, whether on the pitch or elsewhere, we were always thankful for that. The whole St. Andrews Family of patrons, players, staff and friends mourn a great loss today, as do so many others who had the fortune to have Chris in their lives, rest in peace mate.

Please leave your thoughts, comments and anecdotes to our beloved and faithful team mate, friend and colleague. The one, and only, Chris Levitt.

May, 10th 2007 153 Comments

Comments

Comment # 31

Picture of Lewis

Lewis

May 10, 2007

I have three younger sisters but no brothers, but I now know what it feels like to be robbed of a brother. We could always go anywhere (usually a bar) and have a crazy time that made no sense at all the next day. I still have some the funniest voicemails ever recorded on my phone from you. I have lots of great memories and lots of hazy ones, like my stag night (and day) and then seeing you sway all over the place at the wedding the next day, and telling me “is that it” when i kissed the bride. The time when we tried to bundle big Nick into the bathtub in the ladies toilet at St Andies, about 30 seconds before we had to make a hasty retreat. Seeing you taking a few by Erin. Falling flat on your arse in between the trucks after me, you and Bungay had done a round of carboot Yager bombs outside the pub during the worldcup. Taking my dad to his first strip joint. Me and you fighting an entire Mexican football team, and i still don’t know how i got a longer ban than you when you started it. You stripping your pants of in the middle of Taboo on St Paddies day so you could give your boxers to a group of girls who where on a hen night. It always felt like me and you versus the world but most of the time it was just me and you versus whatever bar we was wrecked in. You will always be missed and never forgotten.

PS your still a twat

Comment # 32

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Amanda Bungay

May 10, 2007

Oh Chris you don’t know how much I’m going to miss my husband coming home and saying “You’re never going to believe what Chris did now!”  Some of the things you made me laugh so much that it brougt me to tears.  I’ll never forget coming home many times from work and your car would be parked in my driveway, but you’d be hiding in the bathroom in fear of my yelling at you for playing Fifa all day and drinking all my beer instead of watching my kids.  (He had my 3 year daughter get him beer so he wouldn’t have move and yelling referee at the tv.) And you may wonder why I would yell. Chris, you were part of our family and no words can describe our loss.  We love you and miss you!!
Amanda Bungay

Comment # 33

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Amanda Bungay

May 10, 2007

Well folks, it’s obvious from my statement above that I cannot type or spell.  Isn’t Mike a lucky guy.

Comment # 34

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Phillip Simmons

May 10, 2007

I remember that fight Lewis..priceless. It was you two against not only the players but the fans. I was new then and I thought you guys were the craziest bunch of hooligans I’d ever seen. Five years later I realise I was right but it never stopped me from loving you guys. Never a dull moment and always a laugh.

That’s how I will remember Chris.

Comment # 35

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Erin Ryan

May 10, 2007

I remember about five years ago an argument I had with Chris (I know – shocking that Chris and I were arguing). We were sitting at the pub having a pint and a cricket match was on. As a player got hit by a pitch Chris firmly attested this hurt very badly and it was definitely worse than getting hit by a baseball. I stated I was pretty sure it hurt damn bad to get hit by a baseball – those things were thrown at a hundred miles an hour. Much bickering ensued. Finally I concluded that I wouldn’t want to be hit by either, but Chris would not concede. He wouldn’t settle for only being half right. He was 100 percent correct and firmly stood his ground: getting hit by a cricket ball hurt much more than getting hit by a baseball.
At the time I thought it was ridiculous argument. Now I realize it was a testament to the innate beliefs that Chris carried. Everything he did was 100 percent. He was loyal to what was important. He stood up for everything he believed in and he was proud of who he was a where he came from (i.e. anything British trumps all things American.)
Chris, I am sorry we lost touch over the past few years. Never-the-less I will miss you. Go on Leeds!

Comment # 36

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Masha Polinski

May 10, 2007

It’s been a tough week to smile; however, after reading the Yorkshire article, I noticed that “I” finally made it into one of Chris’ pictures (hair and ear anyway).  I finally got a little payback for all the times he found his way into mine!!  Gotta love him!!

Comment # 37

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Anna

May 10, 2007

Chris!  I always loved your bashful grin you would produce when I saw you!  You were such a fun-loving guy(after a football match that is)!  I couldn’t remember St. Andrews without thinking of you and your scrappy back field play.  You were a true competitor and I enjoyed playing with you on our Friday league although I was HORRIBLE and it just proved why I stick to sports I’m better at!  But you were always so positive and I appreciated that optimism.
Thank you for the many wonderful laughs and head-shaking moments.  You will be missed by all you knew.  I wish I could be there to attend your memorial with the rest of your St. Andrews family but I will be there in spirit.
Win this one for Chris boys!

Comment # 38

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Claire Smith

May 10, 2007

Hi

Reading all these thoughts and comments really shows you what a specail man my cousin was!!, I only got to see him when he came to visit England but when he came he always gave me jip:), being the only girl in the family, but I loved him for his humour and just for being Chris.  RIP Chris.  Fran and Les my thoughts are with you right now.  He loved you both so much!

Comment # 39

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Luci Hall

May 10, 2007

Well..i think i’ve only met you once but you were the funniest guy i have met! You cracked me up so many times! We all miss you so much and wonder why it had to be you..Love you and miss you dearly xx

Comment # 40

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Chris's mum

May 10, 2007

Chris’s memorial info will be in the Orlando Sentinel tomorrow Friday 11th. I am pasting it here so all will know.Thanks everyone.I can’t cope with talking but these sites have made it a little easier to communicate.Bobby I have used your poem for Chris’s memorial booklet so thanks for sharing.It’s beautiful.Thanks to Adam for starting this which is so much more pleasant than wading through the Sentinel.Fran

Comment # 41

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Chris's mum

May 10, 2007

Obituary Information for :
Christopher Paul Levitt , 29 suddenly May 6th 2007, safe in the arms of Jesus and Mary and enfolded in his Grandad Wilson’s and loving family’s encompassing embrace.
Chris was a graduate of Apopka High School and ITT Technical college where he graduated Valedictorian of his class.He was a member of the Alfa Beta Kappa Society. He spent 4 years in the US Navy travelling the globe and served 2 ,6 month tours of the ‘gulf. He loved to travel and experience the world and was a member of the Enterprise Battle Group.He has many friends both still enlisted and released from the service.
He was born in Leeds ,England and was a passionate supporter of Leeds United Football Club,a true Yorkshire lad. He was so excited when we moved to the States when he was 11.  He loved playing soccer for St.Andrew’s Tavern and has a second family there. He lived his life like he played on the field ,to the very fullest,with humor,determination and a vigour for life.  He was a loyal friend and a wonderful,loving and funny son with a heart of gold and a crooked smile with a permanent twinkle in his eye. We all loved him so and our hearts are broken.
Chris is survived by his loving mother and stepfather Frances & John Stivers and loving father Leslie Levitt . Loving Grandparents Lily and Colin Schofield and Uncles Paul and Tim Wilson. Also survived by Aunts Becky,Angela and Shirley. Also many,many cousins,great-aunts and great-uncles and many wonderful friends all of whom he loved unconditionally.  Good Night God Bless darling boy. Our lives are less bright without you.
Visitation Saturday May 12th 2007 3.00 - 7.00 pm. @ Baldwin Fairchild 601 N.Park Ave. Apopka,32712
Memorial service Monday May 14th 2007 @ 2.00 pm @ Sacred Heart Traditional Catholic Church 1018 36th St Orlando,32805
In lieu of flowers the family request donations to Sacred Heart Church or Orlando Magic Youth Foundation

Comment # 42

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Em

May 10, 2007

My Dear Best Friend,

I can not believe that you are gone. My heart hurts so badly and all I want to do is to call you so you can make me feel better, just like you always do. Who will I call on when I need a laugh, who will call me late at night and sing English soccer songs, who will I tease for losing their keys and who will pick me up and take me out for a pint at the pub. I can not believe you are gone. I love you. I loved the way you always made me feel like the most important person in the room. No one can replace you. Thank you for all of the tough times you got me through. Thank you for loving me the way that you did. I can not believe that someone took that away from me. What will your mom do without you. You are her world. You are the one person I could always be myself around. You valued even my “Demi” side and put up with so much from me. Who will be my stupid head and expect me to finsih the last line of our song? It is true Chris, people do get down and people do get hurt. I just never imagined it would be you. Please know that you are in my heart forever. I love you. Your Best Friend, Em

Comment # 43

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Tim Bungay

May 10, 2007

I still can’t take in this shocking and saddening news!! I know that my visit’s to Florida will never be the same again. I know that we hadn’t kept in touch much since I left but we were always able to pick up where we left off when I returned, which was usually in a bar!!! You were a very good friend to me Chris, my best in Florida when I stayed for a year. You kind of took me under your wing when I was living there and I’ll never forget you for that, you were one of the easiest people to get on with that I’ve ever met and the respect your friends had for you spoke volumes about you as a person. You’d help absolutely anyone that needed it with no thought for yourself, it’s a shame there aren’t more people like you.

I’ll never forget some of the nights we had out, their still some of my foundest and funniest memories to date!! Especially that time you parked in a tow zone you swore blind wasn’t there when we parked there and when you, me and my brother returned to no car you were lucky enough to get a lift with the tow truck to collect your car.  Me and my brother returned home, only to get a reverse charge call as you had absolutely no money on ya! classic!! You also taught me about the war of the roses in our many Man Utd vs Leeds fifa competitions with some lasting all day!! No-one else understood the seriousness of our contest’s as apparently it was just a game (oh how little they knew!!). I still remember that time you nearly floored Amanda but had to quickly slide on your knee’s to celebrate your goal beore you flattened her!!, priceless!lol.

Even though I was only there for 11 months we shared lots of good memories and became pretty close. I still can’t believe your not going to be there when I’m there next. My heart goes out to your mum Fran who I know you idolised and vice versa. Fran I’m so sorry for your loss.

Chris Levitt. Gone but never forgotten.

I’ll always miss you my friend.

Comment # 44

Picture of Michael Bungay

Michael Bungay

May 10, 2007

Where do you begin….?

I first met Chris on training grounds at Ponkan road, his introduction was a crunching tackle from behind in which the debate will never end whether he won the ball but I did receive one hell of a bruise. The apology for such a poor tackle was “sorry, but it’s your fault for wearing a scum shirt” (Man Utd) as you all know by now, and with a wink and smile he ran off to pursue the ball. If you would of told me then one of my closest friends was going to be a Leeds fan I’d never of believed you. Since then we’ve enjoyed many many good times (not including 9:00 o’clock kick off’s with one hell of a hangover)To myself and my family Chris wasn’t just a friend but a family member. As much of a member that at times he would turn down his Mums cooking because Yorkshire Pudding was being served at my house. I’m sure your cooking is great Fran but you know how much he loved is Yorkshires.

Chris was the type of person everyone wants in their lives and I’m proud to of been able to call him my friend.

sadley you have been taken from us all but you will live in my heart forever!

Go Leeds!

Comment # 45

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Darrell McDaniel

May 11, 2007

Colleen and I both offer our most heartfelt sympathy to all of Chris’ family and friends.  St. Andrew’s is truly a special place filled with the greatest people in the world.  Cheers to Chris and Godspeed….

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