OBITUARY

Christopher A. "Drew" Leinonen

June 1, 1984 – June 12, 2016
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Christopher A. "Drew" Leinonen

Christopher A. "Drew" Leinonen was born on June 1, 1984 in Detroit, Michigan and passed away on June 12, 2016 in Orlando, Florida

Visitation will be held on June 17, 2016 at 12:00 pm at Baldwin Fairchild Funeral Home Ivanhoe Chapel, 301 NE Ivanhoe Boulevard, Orlando, Florida. Funeral Mass will be held on June 18, 2016 at 11:00 am at The Cathedral Church of St. Luke, 130 N. Magnolia Avenue, Orlando, Florida.

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  • Visitation

    Friday, June 17, 2016

  • Funeral Mass

    Saturday, June 18, 2016

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Christopher A. "Drew" Leinonen

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Ebonee Peterson

June 12, 2018

It was a pleasure working with you. I still can't believe this. I know your light continues to shine bright.

Charles Whiteside

September 12, 2017

Hi Christopher DREW lienonen! I have never met you but I have read a lot about you. You were a very loving CARING humorous person with a great personality. You and Juan your husband to be was perfect you both were so happy. I'm so sorry this happened to you. Drew IT BROKE MY HEART TO FIND THIS OUT ON THE NEWS ABOUT YOU. broke my heart. Would have loved to have met you. You will never ever be forgotten. God bless you Juan your beautiful mom your friends and Juans family friends amen. R.I.P. DREW, JUAN!!

Patti Boman

June 11, 2017

I didn't know you but you are almost the same age as my son Danny and I cried watching your mom on TV. You were an amazing son from what she said and a huge loss to all that knew you. I would have loved knowing you and your mom.
Hugs
Patti Boman
A pflag mom

Cara S.

June 2, 2017

Drew have been blessed to have known you. I will remember you as one of the kindest souls I ever met. Sweet dreams. Cara

David Heath

August 31, 2016

IF ONLY I KNEW
If I ew it would be the last time
That I'd see you fall asleep,
I would tuck you in more tightly
and pray the Lord, your soul to keep.
If I knew it would be the last time
that I saw you walk out the door,
I would give you a hug and kiss
and call you back for one more.
If I knew it would be the last time,
I could spare and extra minute
to stop and say "I Love You,"
instead of assuming you would KNEW I do.
If I knew it would be the last time
I would be able to share your day,
Well I'm sure you'll have so many more,
For surely there's always tomorrow
to make up for an oversight,
and we always get a second chance
to make everything just right.
There will always be another day
to say, "I Love You,"
And certainly there's another chance
to say our "Anything I can do?"
But just in case I might be wrong,
and today is all I get,
I'd like to say how much "I Love You"
And hope we never forget.
Tomorrow is not promised to anyone,
Young or old alike,
And today may be the last chance
you get to hold your loved one tight.
That you didn't take that extra time
for a smile, a hug, or a kiss
and you were too busy to grant someone,
what turned out to be there last wish.
So hold your loved ones close today,
and whisper in their ear,
Tell them how much you love them
and that you'll always hold them dear
Take time to say "I'm sorry,"
"Please forgive me," "Thank you," "It's okay."
And if tomorrow never comes,
you'll have no regrets about today.

Steven

August 17, 2016

Think about you every day, Christine. Stay strong and keep fighting. We all stand with you. Christopher will always be in our hearts

Sheli Bentley

August 14, 2016

Your light and love shines on and you didn't die in vain. Deep and sincere condolences to your grieving mother. Shine on, young man.. ❤

Fran Garrigus

July 27, 2016

Dear Christine, All the way from us, here in Michigan, to you and your son's friends, know that you will never be forgotten, always in our hearts. I pray for you everyday. I pray that you will find strength and courage. When my family experienced our tragic loss, we felt desperate. But with patience and love, I found that I could only deal with one day at a time. Dear friend, it's ok to feel sad. It's ok to cry. It's ok to take all the time in the future, to find your way. As you, I also, struggled with WHY? I never found the answer, but I walked into my own calm space very slowly, and found the inner peace that helped me begin to believe in all the good things that he believed in. It calmed my soul, to connect with him on my terms, by myself. That was the time, I knew how to think of the positive legacy left behind for me to pursue. No one else had any answers, solutions, remedies. I didn't think they understood. But, I needed to understand, just me. Please know, I share with you, in every moment. You were blessed to give birth to a joyous, wonderful, son, only you!!! Live through his eyes and heart. Feel his soul. You will find your way, I know you are strong. All of these loving kind people send you sincere love and kindness. I will continue to pray for your spirit, health and inspiration. You have helped so many of us, tonight, at the DNC. You will realize that in the future. You were very courageous and genuine and I thank you for that. We all love you and your son's friends equally. Peace be with you all. Love from Michigan. Fran Garrigus

Alai Meta

July 7, 2016

I didn't know Drew, but was very touched and overwhelmed reading about him on the social media and elsewhere. Such a FINE SOUL! So compassionate, helpful, so full of zest, LOVEthe list looks endless! As in life, in death too, he has left a profound & positive impact on so many people, which can be seen in the many posts about him, left in the wake of his passing! In his very TRAGIC death, Drew has opened up his Life to countless souls all over the world, seemingly prodding them to get the best out of their LIVES!!! TO LIVE GOOD, TO LIVE HAPPY and TO ENJOY LIFE to its FULLEST! THIS IS HIS EVER LASTING LEGACY, which will be a guiding light, giving hope to many in the times to come! For this, he will be dearly remembered, not just by his family and friends, but even many others like me who did not know him in person, all across the globe!!! His mother and his closest friends were truly gifted to have him in their lives.

He & Juan personified true LOVE! My heartfelt prayers, for them both to find eternal happiness together and for God to give strength to all their close ones, especially Christine, to bear this huge loss and cherish the very fond and happy memories forever!!! God Bless!!

Michael Petrik

June 29, 2016

I felt compelled to send this note of condolence. As a 55 year old semi retired gay man, I had the time to read all that was provided by the media on this solemn event. I was so touched by the love, care and concern that the Orlando community expressed. In particular, you, Ms. Christine had so much taken from you and, in turn, provided through social media, an avenue to know who your son is. You opened your heart and revealed a very beautiful man. In my entire life, based on what I have read, and seen on the instagram platform, never have I had the pleasure of seeing someone so completely balanced in all areas- family, social outlets, love, and career. Christopher strikes me as a one a million man. I would have loved to have known him personally. Ms. Christine, you do get some of the credit too. From what I can glean, you are a great mother. I am sure that all who have come in contact with him are blessed. He has a lot of the care concern, and love that you have, based on the interview I watched. Juan, his fiance, is a lucky man. Although I do not know any of you personally, I do feel that I have gotten to know all of you somewhat through the social media avenues that you provided. I thank you for that opportunity. I do want you to know that I suspect the bright light of love, family, friendship, care and concern that I believe he possesses shall never diminish. Energy cannot be destroyed, and neither can memories. His light, as well as Juan's and the other men and women shall shine on forever in all of our hearts, minds, and bodies. As a former middle manager for the NYC gay pride rally and parade, we honored all of you in Orlando, and we shall keep all of you in our hearts and prayers. I do know that all of us shall meet some day. Physically, I will come to Orlando in the near future to honor those bright lights in person. Ms. Christine, may God continue to provide you with strength, guidance and peace. When in doubt, look up, God and Christopher will guide you. May you and your loved ones continue to be richly blessed and comforted in the days, weeks, months, and years to come. With warmest regards.

FROM THE FAMILY
FROM THE FAMILY
FROM THE FAMILY
FROM THE FAMILY
FROM THE FAMILY
FROM THE FAMILY
FROM THE FAMILY
FROM THE FAMILY
FROM THE FAMILY
FROM THE FAMILY