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302-478-7100 Wilmington & Hockessin, DE

John A. Leitgeb

John A. Leitgeb passed away peacefully Saturday, May 17, 2025, at the AccentCare Hospice Center in Christiana Hospital, Wilmington, DE. after a period of declining health. He was 74 years old.

Born in Allentown, PA, he was the son of the late Albert and Agnes (Csekitz) Leitgeb.  John was a 1968 graduate of Dieruff High School, Allentown, PA. After graduating in 1972 from Shippensburg State Teachers College in Shippensburg, PA. he was employed as an educator and coach for Cecil County Public Schools for 35 years.

John was an avid Phillies and Eagles fan. Win or lose, they were always the best. The only thing he enjoyed more than watching a good game was spending time with his family.

He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Gail (Weller) Leitgeb, children Matthew J. Leitgeb (Brea) of Elkton, MD, daughter, Jennifer L. Ayers (Jake) of Elkton, MD, son, James A. Leitgeb (Jessica), Elkton, MD, along with his beloved grandchildren, Colton Leitgeb, Elise Leitgeb, Gwen Ayers, Wyatt Ayers, Nolan Leitgeb, Aria Leitgeb, Lacey Leitgeb, and his brother Albert Leitgeb (Bonnie) of Allentown, PA.

In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his sister Geraldine Philippi, of Bethlehem, PA and his sister Bernice Kirschman, of Sellersville, PA.

Funeral Services

John has chosen to be an anatomical gift donor to the College of Health Sciences at the University of Delaware. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in John’s memory to the Alzheimer’s Foundation, at https://alzfdn.org/donate/ or 322 8th Avenue, 16th Floor, New York, NY 10001.

Condolences

    Joanne lamborn lit a candle and writes,
    Gail, I am very sorry for your loss.
    05/22/2025 01:35 pm
    Candy Armour lit a candle and writes,
    Gail, Matt, Jennifer, Jim and families, I am so very sorry for your loss. Will keep all of you in my prayers
    05/22/2025 05:03 pm
    Nancy Yerkes lit a candle and writes,
    Dear Gail and family, please accept my deepest condolences. John and I started teaching together in 1972 at Perryville junior/senior high school and we spent many moments during those first years encouraging each other. John was kind, caring and everything good. We both made it through 35 years of teaching and what a blessing it was to be his friend.
    05/23/2025 10:00 am
    Tonja S. Hess writes,
    My deepest condolences on your loss. Mr. Leitgeb was one of my favorite teachers in high school. He was kind and caring and always willing to listen and help. When I was a restaurant manager, he would come to follow up on the students who did the school/work program and I enjoyed our many conversations. So thankful to have had the opportunity to bump into him at YMCA several years ago and introduce him to my daughter!
    05/23/2025 10:51 am
    Jared Morse lit a candle and writes,
    Jim, I was saddened to hear about the passing of your father. Please accept my deepest condolences during this incredibly difficult time. Jared Morse & Family
    05/23/2025 11:25 am
    Cynthia Granger writes,
    We just recently connected on the trip to Philly and talked about your husband. It seemed like he wouldn't be here long and now a little over a week and he's gone. Sorry for your loss, Gail. Cindy Granger
    05/23/2025 03:01 pm
    Brian Senn - PHS class of 1980 writes,
    So many fond memories of Mr. Leitgeb. I loved history because of him and Mr. Arch. As my football coach, I vividly remember him saying my senior year the last time we hit the sled…”you’re going to miss this!” I thought at the time, “like heck I will!”, but he was right. I played hooky from school to go trout fishing on opening day on Pricinpio Creek. When I was leaving, there was Mr. Leitgeb’s yellow Vega parked by the creek and him standing there smiling and waving at me looking like we’ve both been caught playing hooky. Lastly, I went duck hunting with him and Mr. Feldman one Saturday morning before a football game we were playing that afternoon. I had a jon boat and a truck (that’s why I was invited to go with them.) Mr. Leitgeb and I were carrying the boat through the muck and mud to get to the water and he said to me… “don’t tell Repucci you’re tired at game time because of this!” We didn’t get any ducks, but I still have those memories. Thanks, Mr. Leitgeb!
    05/23/2025 06:44 pm
    Tom Magaw writes,
    Gail, Jen, and families, please except Ann and my sincere condolences for the loss of your husband and dad. May our prayers and thoughts be with you.
    05/23/2025 06:50 pm
    Ricky Baker lit a candle and writes,
    My sincere condolences to the Leigteb family. I was on your dads wrestling team a Perryville high school. Graduated in 76. Loved your dad. He was a great coach and better man. He was pretty tough on us. Looks like he has a wonderfull family.
    05/23/2025 06:52 pm
    Bertie Combs writes,
    Dearest Gail and Family, our hearts are heavy to hear of John’s passing. What can be said to help make your pain go away? John, was such a great couch at Perryville High for my son Jay. He helped Jay to become more mature and skilled in the sports he was couching. Thank you for sharing him. Gail, you have been such a supporter through out John’s illness….now you know he’s at peace and do hope each of you are also at peace, knowing the care and love you gave him, was so dear! Please take care of each other. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Sending hugs, Bertie
    05/23/2025 10:16 pm
    Devon Chapman lit a candle and writes,
    A teacher whose legacy will last many decades. Our family extends our deepest condolences.
    05/23/2025 10:40 pm
    Ken Keane lit a candle and writes,
    Leitgeb Family, I am very sorry for the loss of your husband and father. Please accept my condolences. I had many great times at your house while growing up in Manchester Park and also later on while Matt and I went to Virginia Tech. Mr. Leitgeb was always very welcoming and I enjoyed spending time with him and the rest of your family. He will be missed! Ken
    05/24/2025 09:31 am
    Dean Cox lit a candle and writes,
    Dear Gail and family, Please accept Allison and my deepest and heartfelt condolences for John's passing. I was a sophomore at Perryville High School in 1972 when John Leitgeb showed up in the wrestling room as our new head coach - and the rest is history! That was when the trajectory of my life changed! Coach not only taught me to wrestle, he taught me to set higher goals academically and athletically, work hard and believe in myself. With his encouragement and guidance (and accompanying me on college visits) he is the reason I continued my education and became a collegiate athlete. I then followed in my mentor's footsteps and became a teacher and coach in Cecil County. In my 34 years of teaching and coaching I was always acutely aware that my career was a direct result of John Leitgeb's influence and belief in me. Words cannot express the love and appreciation I have for you, Coach. Thank you so much. Dean Cox
    05/24/2025 10:14 am
    Dale Simpkins lit a candle and writes,
    My deepest condolences to the entire family. John was a great teacher and mentor. I was one of his wrestlers from 1972 to 1976. He was very devoted as a teacher, mentor and friend. He helped to shape the men we have become today and it will always be appreciated. Prayers for the family during this difficult time, may he rest in peace.
    05/24/2025 05:57 pm
    Stan Risko lit a candle and writes,
    Gail and family, Cindy and I were so sorry to hear of John’s passing. I will always remember the great times that John and I shared whether it was about our teaching, coaching, hunting, golfing or just talking over a cold beer. He was a friend who was always there to give a hand no matter the situation. John’s dedication and love for his family was foremost in his life and he was so thankful and proud of them and often expressed to me how lucky he was to have such a wonderful family. For the thirty years we taught together, John’s friendship was a cherished brotherhood. .!Although we haven’t stayed connected lately, I feel blessed and honored to have known John and will truly miss him. Rest in peace my friend. Stan Risko
    05/24/2025 09:01 pm
    Eleanor and Steve Repole writes,
    Gail, Matt, Jennifer, and Jim, we are so sorry to hear of John’s passing. He was a great person, husband, and dad. Please accept our sincere condolences. We will remember him fondly. Hugs.
    05/24/2025 10:30 pm
    John Harvey writes,
    Gail, I was so sorry to hear the passing of John. Although we have not stayed in touch over the past years, the time I spent coaching with him in wrestling and football at Perryville will always bring a smile to my face. John was truly a good man and touched the lives of so many young people in his teaching and coaching.. My deepest condolences go out to your family. Rest in peace my friend. John Harvey
    05/25/2025 11:37 am
    Fred and Char Metzger lit a candle and writes,
    So many wonderful memories: Seneca Lake, hiking in Watkins Glen, winery visits, cruises, concerts, restaurant outings, escape room, games at a kitchen table, Longwood Gardens, chatting and laughing together. Such good times with a man whose company we truly enjoyed! Gail, Jenny, Jim, Matt, and families, we are deeply saddened by your great loss. John was a dear friend, and our hearts and sympathy are with you.
    05/25/2025 03:34 pm
    Steve Dorezas writes,
    Gail, I was so saddened to read about John’s passing. In my mind the entire Leitgeb family was always one to be looked up to. Each seemed so friendly and easy going. John was always one of those guys that made one feel better after talking with him. Truly one of the good guys. Take care and lean on the the rest of your family. Sincerely, Steve Dorezas
    05/26/2025 02:25 pm
    John and Cheryl Dempsey writes,
    Gail and family, Cheryl and I were saddened to hear of John’s passing! I looked forward to seeing you both at Singerly so often. And have pleasant memories of our times together when the children were young. John was such a kind and gentle person, may he forever rest in peace!
    05/26/2025 07:21 pm
    Donald Jessee writes,
    Gail, I am sorry to hear about your loss. I was introduce to your husband when I started teaching in Cecil County in 1984 at Gilpin Manor. Every time I saw him he was always so gracious and kind. I also was truly blessed to have your support when I began my journey in the Cecil County school system . My thoughts and prayer are with you as I write this note. Sincerely written, Don Jessee
    05/30/2025 09:15 am
    Kevin Kilby writes,
    I remember being in his class, very energetic man. Was very friendly. He liked a prank pulled on him once in a while. The real funny thing was when he called on one of us students, we would reply with a one word response we we got the answer right and that was Ayyyy 👍from Fonzie on Happy Days!!!!!, eventually he got fed up with it and sent us to the office, but at the end of the school year in 1974, a couple of us told him it was on good humor and he accepted that then said "Ayyy! "👍 and that was OK with us!!!!....RIP Mr. Leitgeb 🙏🙏🙏
    05/30/2025 09:41 pm
    Jeffrey Bundy lit a candle and writes,
    Gail, Matt, Jen and Jim, Mary Ellen and I are saddened to hear of John’s passing. We send our prayers to you all. John was the first person I met when I was hired at Perryville High School. His friendship and guidance helped me through those early uncertain years. I always considered him my mentor. John was a decent and sensitive man. As a teacher, he wanted all kids to find success. He differentiated instruction long before it was a buzz word and common practice. I am not surprised to learn of his final, courageous selfless act. It speaks to who he was and what he believed. I am a better man for having known John Leitgeb. I will miss him, but I will never forget him. I hope to see him again on the other side. May he rest in peace.
    06/03/2025 07:43 pm
    Clifton Wimot lit a candle and writes,
    To Mrs. Leitgeb family I send my condolence to you to let you know Earth has no sorrow that heaven cannot heal I have great memories of a man with great integrity and honor and persevere. He was always uplifting and giving good advice on whatever the subject may be as I reflect back on the days and years. I have spent with him at Perryville high on the wrestling team at practice and at the matches that we have at different events he was a mentor to me and others who looked up to him. I reflect back the time when you and Him and myself and Larry Jones was heading over to an event in Hartford County. He always call Larry Jonesey, and the last time when IHim and myself and Larry Jones was heading over to an event in Hartford County. He always call Larry Jonesey and the last time when I seen him sing when I seen him and you. Down at Bohemian Manor, he asked About Larry Jones and I let him know that Larry Jones hand went home to be with the Lord and he started to cry that show me that the love he had for one of his wrestlers that he coach, he had a bond with all his wrestlers, as I’m writing this, I can’t stop crying about a man that was so inspiring in my life that I really looked up to as I end this may God continue to smile upon you and your family and may Mr.Leitgeb rest in peace.
    06/05/2025 03:38 pm
    Bucky Stokes lit a candle and writes,
    My deepest condolences to the family of Mr. John Lietgeb. I remember all the hard work he made me do if I wanted to become a good wrestler, and the toughness he instilled in me. And the lasting impression he left on me after graduation. To work harder than the next guy up. Thanks for making me a better man. PHS 1981
    08/17/2025 04:41 pm

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