Leslie Irving Ambush

Leslie “Les” Ambush passed away on March 13, 2025. He was born on March 14, 1943 to Harry and Rose Ambush.

Les was a high school basketball star but, even before that time, he had become popular with the neighborhood children for organizing pick-up baseball games and other athletic entertainments on the quiet suburban streets of Rochester, New York.

Les lived in Chicago briefly before moving to Florida in 1970 to become a professional water-skier. That dream was fleeting, but Les met his wife, Sandra, in 1971 and they married in 1973.

Les worked for several years as a bookkeeper and accountant as well as teaching for a few years.

In 1984, when his young son started playing soccer, Les discovered the ultimate conduit for his enthusiastic coaching style. Over the next several years, Les coached soccer and served in various leadership capacities with what is now known as the Northeast Raiders Youth Association. In 1997, Les was honored when the Puryear Park clubhouse was named the “Les Ambush Clubhouse.”

During this time, Les also coached two years of youth basketball at Roberts and Woodlawn Recreation Centers. He was a Coach and Director of baseball at Fossil Park for six years. During the summers, Les founded and ran “Everyone’s A Winner” Indoor Soccer from 1985-2007. This program emphasized teamwork, skill building and self-esteem over competition.

Later in life, Les became a Certified Peer Counselor. He offered multiple workshops designed to promote self-awareness and wellness, and he wrote a book titled, Opening My Toolbox of Recovery Using “ing” Words. Within these pursuits, Sandi was his graphic designer and cheerleader. Together they started the group, “Feeling Better About Ourselves.”

For Les, the month of December brought yet another opportunity to connect with others and emanate kindness as one of the ‘helpers’ to a certain iconic and beloved holiday figure. He donned the suit and beard for forty-one years. 

In 2022, Les was inducted into the St. Petersburg Senior Hall of Fame. In addition, he was given the key to the city. 

Les was preceded in death by Sandi in 2023, after fifty years of marriage. He is survived by his children, Selena (Rolando), David (Erin) and Harris (Elizabeth); sister, Deena; sister-in-law, Catherine; nieces, Janet and Christina (Marc), nephew, Donovan (Stephanie); grand-nephew, Kai and grand-niece, Natalie. Les was especially proud of his grandsons, August and Lachlan.

Throughout a lifetime of work in youth athletics and mental health wellness, Les inspired countless individuals and families.

There was no one like Les.