LEFLOCH, Eugene

Short synopsis of the life of Eugene LeFloch

Eugene, as an estate planning attorney recommended to his clients that they write their own obituary as who else would know what to write? But, where is his?  Not on his computer, I searched that. Evan surmises that he had written it on one of the yellow legal pads that he kept next to his chair in his office, and had never got around to having it typed up. If that was so, it was a victim of Helene’s flood, and long gone. 

So it falls to me as someone who knew him for at least 55 of his 83 yrs to at least try to put on paper some of the many things he did during his lifetime, so here goes:

Eugene was born on Born 2 December, 1942 in New York, NY to hardworking French immigrant parents, Marcel and Leonie, with whom he moved to upstate NY when he was a toddler; and spent the rest of the war mostly on a farm, where his father was (amongst other things) the dairy manager.  

The family then moved to Central Valley, NY where his father and uncle bought a General store (including a butcher shop) and then an appliance store.  “LeFloch Brothers”. 

Irene, his only sibling, was born in 1950, so was eight years younger than he was.  

He attended school through 11th grade at the local school – Monroe Woodbury. But transferred for 12th grade to Fishburne Military School in Waynesboro VA, from which he graduated in 1960. 

Eugene earned a BS in Accounting at Rider College, NJ, graduating in 1964. 

While there he learned to fly at Morrisville, PA airport, which began his 50 year love of flying.  

He also played accordion in a band during these years. 

He received his JD at SMU, Dallas TX, graduating in 1967, then passed the TX Bar. 

He became a Master Mason while in Dallas.

In 1967 – 68, Eugene studied International Maritime Law at the University of London, which led to a certification at the International Court in The Hague. 

He worked in Brussels as a corporate attorney for C&I-Girdler from 1968-9, from where, in 1970,  he was recruited as Manager of International Credit Finance to work for Procon, a subsidiary company of UOP, which built oil refineries all over the world. He worked out of the London office, and there, through a mutual friend, he met his wife, Janet, to whom he was married for 53 years. 

They relocated back to the USA in 1972 to run the family businesses,  consisting of a motel and a Steak and Wine restaurant in NY, and several Bonanza steakhouses in NJ. 

While living in NJ, he reconnected with college (and flying) friend, John Mooney, and through him discovered his lifelong love of fishing on John’s boat the “Moon Dog”.  Eventually the two bought a boat together and named it “Chien de Lune”.

Eugene and Janet bought a house in 1973 in Scotch Plains NJ where their 2 children, Michelle (1975) and Evan (1976) were born. 

In 1977: they temporarily came to Tampa to run more Bonanzas, bought the house on Eden Roc Circle because of its proximity to the airport, and for a few years he and Janet commuted back and forth between Florida and New Jersey. 

During a 15th anniversary trip to London, Eugene was approached by a colleague to develop a business in the UK, franchising french fry vending machines and placing them into leisure centres. This concept he could not resist, and commuted to London regularly each month between the years of 1988 – 1992, until it was decided that it was more important for him to spend time with the family, who could only join him during summer vacations. For a few years, however, there was a working Mr Crispy machine in the garage in Tampa, much loved by the children and friends.

In 1989, the Bonanza chain was sold and it was time to move back to NJ; but by this time the whole family was solidly into a Florida lifestyle and was not about to start over in NJ. 

So the motel, Harriman Motor Inn, was sold also. 

Eugene obtained his insurance license and worked with Principal financial group from 1993.

He earned his Series 7 brokerage license and worked with Mass Mutual from 1995.

In order to practice law in the state, Eugene was admitted to the FL Bar in 1993.

Eugene M LeFloch JD 1993 – 1996

Wetherington LeFloch & Hamilton 1996-2000

Tampa Bay Law Group 2000 – 2005

Eugene LeFloch Attorney, PA 2006 – 2025

Eugene loved to travel and passed this love to his family with many adventures in the US and abroad. He considered this an integral part of their education. He had visited every continent except for Antarctica, which he considered should be off limits for tourists and left in a pristine state. 

He went game fishing all over the US and the world. He chased and caught all the Marlins, including a Black Marlin on the Great Barrier Reef.   

For about 16 years, Eugene belonged to Florida Fun Fishers, a group that organizes a big fishing trip once a year, serving his year as commandant, when he took the group to Los Suenos in Costa Rica (a favorite place). 

But he enjoyed just as much, if not more, the Tuesday morning fishing trips in the Whaler with Evan. 

Amongst other planes he owned and flew, he most enjoyed owning a quarter share of a 1966 Mooney, 7878V, which he flew for over 25 yrs. 

In 2022, he was awarded the FAA Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award which denotes 50 yrs of safe General Aviation flying. 

Eugene had three grandchildren who were very important to him, Estelle, Keenan and Elliott. He never saw them as a group, but as complete individuals, and related to them as such. Knowing that he was not going to be a part of the milestones in their ongoing lives was his biggest sadness as he became more incapacitated. 

There were so many other people that Eugene interacted with. He was interested in everyone and curious about their lives and backgrounds. He also felt that it was important to give some of his time, talents and treasure to help others. 

As an estate planning attorney, he wrote countless wills and other necessary documents for people who were not able to pay for his services. And liberally shared his wealth of knowledge with everyone. 

He served as a trustee at Fishburne Military School for decades, including several years as treasurer, and then as President. 

He was Scout Master for Troop 215 from 1989  – 2006, going on campouts, leading meetings, and enriching the lives of countless young men. 

He was active in F&AM Holyrood Lodge and was treasurer for many years. 

He volunteered at EAA’s Sun n Fun (spring break for pilots) as a volunteer, then as chairman, of Vintage for many years. 

He monetarily supported several non profits, particularly in the Tampa Bay Area, each year since 1980. Of particular importance to him were The Straz Center (was Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center) and Metropolitan  Ministries. 

What began as the obituary that several people had requested, has morphed into an epistle to the children and grandchildren, so that they can know at least some of the things that occurred during Eugene’s life that shaped the person that they knew as Dad and Grandad. 

As he had directed, the family will be hosting a party to Celebrate Eugene’s Life on Sunday 24th May from 2pm to 5pm at 3906 W Eden Roc Circle, Tampa. 

As the house is under construction, everyone attending should be in casual attire.