Hugh Joseph Leitch Esq., a lifelong Babylon Village resident who was a member of many organizations within the community that he loved, died following a short illness July 19, 2006. He was 65 years old.

The Babylonian was past president of the Babylon Rotary and Republican Clubs, in addition to holding the post of Deputy Town Attorney in Babylon for many years.

The son of William and Susan Leitch, Mr. Leitch grew up in Babylon with his siblings on Howard Street. He later lived on White Birch Drive for 39 years, where he raised his own family and for many years maintained his legal office on Cooper Street in Babylon.

Mr. Leitch was the recipient of the Good Deed Award, was involved with the Boys Scouts of America, was a longtime member of the Babylon Booster Club and was voted Man of the Year by the Babylon Republican Club.

He also served as past president of MultiTown Authority, which was charged with constructing a garbage waste management facility in cooperation with Babylon, Huntington, Smithtown and Islip towns, an authority that raised significant controversy and a plan that never made it off the drawing board. For more than 20 years he was retained as legal counsel by the Central Islip School District.

According to his family he was a man of many nicknames. He was good-naturedly dubbed "Baby Hughie" by his older sister Kathy, "Face Luna" by his mother-in-law and "Toothbrush" by classmates at Villanova.

An intelligent man, he earned full scholarships from SetonHall High School, Cornell Law School and the aforementioned Villanova University.

In his spare time he could be found fishing and clamming on the Great South Bay in his boat, "Baby Hughie," playing golf or spending time on the beach with his beloved family. In his younger years, according to his family, he was a top-notch rugby player in college and loved to return to his alma mater to watch football, basketball and rugby games.

He leaves behind his wife of 38 years, Divinia; his children: Danielle of Boca Raton, Florida and Kyle of Babylon; his granddaughter: Angelina Rose Umbriac; his mother: Susan; his siblings: William Jr. and his wife Mary Liz, Edward and his wife Lorraine and Brian; his brother-in-law: Peter Driscoll; as well as many aunts, uncles, cousins, family members and loved ones. He was predeceased by his father, William, and his sister, Kathleen Driscoll.

Mr. Leitch reposed at the Frederick J. Chapey & Sons Funeral Home, 1225 Montauk Highway, on July 22 and 23, 2006. A Celebration of the Liturgy of Christian Burial was held at St. Joseph's R.C. Church, Babylon on July 24, 2006. Private cremation followed with his ashes being scattered in the Great South Bay, as per his wishes.