Leonard Council was a sports fanatic. A basketball and footballplayer throughout most of his life, he was passionate about watchingsports on TV and attending as many live games as he could. Council'steam interests were far-ranging and he was a fan of the Yankees, theWashington Redskins and the L.A. Lakers, especially during the MagicJohnson era.
'He was quiet until sports came on, and then he would let you knowhow much he really enjoyed his sports,' laughed his wife of 34 years,Helen Council.
Council also was a pretty good cook and baker. 'His specialtieswere barbecue and Boston cream pie,' said his wife. 'In fact, he madeso many Boston cream pies, I got to the point where I couldn't standthem anymore.'
Council died April 15 at age 67 of cancer.
Born Jan. 20, 1939, in Baltimore, a son of the late Ernest andBeulah Council, he moved to New Haven as a child and attendedHillhouse High School, where he played basketball.
A Marine veteran during peace time, Council returned to New Havenafter the service and worked in the laundry department at the WestHaven Veterans Affairs hospital for two years. He then became a testshooter for the former Winchester Repeating Arms for 30 years,retiring in his early 60s. He also worked part-time as a janitor forArcher's Cleaning, for several years.
A longtime parishioner of Immanuel Baptist Church, Council likedto babysit his grandson and help his children with their homework.'He was good when it came to math,' said his wife. 'I could have usedhis help when I was in school!'
Family vacations included trips to Florida, Italy, Canada, Mexicoand California.
In his spare time, Council liked to walk, dance and listen tojazz. He was fond of telling people, 'If you are going to dosomething, do it the right way' and 'Think before you do.'
'He was a good person,' said his wife. 'If he saw you doingsomething wrong, he would try to tell you the right way to do it. Hewas the type to tell you something three or four times to make sureit sank into your head. He also was joyful and always helping hisfriends, or even someone off the street. If someone asked him for $2and all he had was $3, he would still give them the $2.'
When Council's kids were in school, 8:30 or 9 p.m. was their usualbedtime. 'But he would whisper to them, 'You go to bed now and lateryou can get back up and watch TV. Just don't tell your mother!'Sometimes I would find out, and they thought it was funny,' said hiswife.
Council also leaves a son, Charles Council of New Haven; and adaughter, Hope Thomas of Novato, Calif. He was buried in BeaverdaleCemetery.
