Leo E. Center

Leo E. Center, loving father, devoted husband, outstanding athlete, successful businessman, and elected public servant, died peacefully at home, surrounded by his family and under the care of Hospice Savannah, September 30, 2012.



A native Savannahian, Leo was born September 11, 1918, to Henry and Hannah Ehrenrich Center. Sports were integral to Leo's life. After triple lettering at Savannah High School, he attended Miami Military Academy on a football scholarship. He went on to success in both amateur and professional boxing, twice holding the Southern Golden Gloves 'light heavyweight' title and fighting in Madison Square Garden. After professional in April 1941, he fought at least three times a month, compiling a record of 14 wins and 1 loss. Ring Magazine selected Leo as the outstanding light heavyweight of the month in their December 1941 issue, and rated him the number one light heavyweight boxer of the South.



After the US was attacked at Pearl Harbor, Leo enlisted in the Navy and was assigned to Norfolk, VA. Leo fought and won many Naval Relief fundraising matches in Norfolk before being shipped to the Pacific Theater to join to PT Boat Squadron 17 in the Philippine Islands. He boxed twice in Panama and three times in Hawaii. Leo received national publicity when he was named by Fred Apostoli (former Middleweight Champion of the World) as the top prospect he had seen in the Navy.



In 1971, Leo was inducted into the Greater Savannah Athletic Hall of Fame and later served on its Board of Trustees, and as its President in 1979. He was also inducted into the Jewish Educational Alliance Athletic Hall of Fame.



After his discharge from the Navy in December 1945, Leo changed his focus to business. After first working as a traveling salesman, in June 1947, he bought a company then known as the Linoleum and Shade Shop. That company became Center Brothers, Inc. in 1950, when his brother Irvin joined him in business. Leo served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the company for over 60 years, helping Irvin and their partner, Henry Tuten, guide Center Brothers to becoming a multi-state interior and exterior systems contractor. Leo dedicated his entire business career to Center Brothers, maintaining an active role in management until his retirement in 2008.



Leo was also a founding director of AmeriBank, which, after a succession of mergers, later became BB&T. He was a member of the Contractors Advisory Board of Simpson Timber Company of Shelton, Washington, a Charter Member of Owens Corning Fiberglass Interior Contractors Advisory Board, and a director on the Board of the Ceiling Interior Systems Contractors Association, an international organization of interior contractors, where he served as vice president from 1976 through 1978. He was one of the organizers and founders of the Savannah Chapter of Subcontractors, and served three years on its board. He was a member of The Executive Association of Savannah, the CEO Council of the Savannah Chamber of Commerce, and the board of the Savannah Economic Development Authority.



Leo was deeply involved in Savannah's religious, political and cultural affairs. In addition to being a member of the B'nai B'rith Jacob Synagogue and the Jewish Educational Alliance, he was a charter member of the United States Holocaust Museum. In 1981, he was Secretary of the Savannah Jewish Council and a member of the Community Relations Committee. In 1982, he was the general chairman of Savannah's Russian Resettlement Committee to settle and secure employment for emigrating Soviet Jews. He participated in the Councils Presidents Mission to Israel, and was a founder of Savannah's AIPAC organization, where he served as liaison and fundraiser for many years.



In 2002, Leo was featured in a film documentary, Shalom Y'all, about the Jewish experience in the American South. Whenever asked about his feelings of Savannah, he often replied, 'I was able to do things for my city, which I love very much.'



Leo won five elections to Savannah City Council, serving as Alderman twenty-three years, the last eight as Mayor Pro-Tem under Mayor John P. Rousaikis. Leo also served as chairman for the Sister City Program for the Georgia National League of Cities, as a member of the finance and budget committee of the Georgia Municipal Association and as a member of the statewide task force on the GMA on federal revenue sharing. He was a member of the Coastal Area Planning Commission, and served on the Board of Directors of the Southeast Georgia Health System Agency. Leo was the 2003 recipient of the Chatham County Democratic Committee's Arthur M. Gignilliat Public Service Award.



Leo was a member of the Savannah Golf Club, The Landings Club, and a founding member of the First City Club of Savannah, the first dining club in the city to welcome all faiths and races with open arms.



In addition to his parents, Leo was preceded in death by his son, Henry Walter Center and his brother, Irvin W. Center.



Leo is survived by his wife of 28 years, Simone K. Center, sons Tony Center and Scott Center (Tatsiana Shakmuts), stepchildren Eric Robinson (Jennifer) of Berkley, CA, Lisa Robinson (Ken Rosenthal) of Phoenix, AZ, and Lori Robinson of Sea Ranch, CA, grandchildren Dr. Kristy Center, Jeff Center, and Sofia Center, three step-grandchildren, Liv and Anni Robinson and Harper Rosenthal, one great-grandchild, Caden Center, several nieces, a nephew and many cousins. The family wished to express their thanks and deep appreciation for the love, care and concern that Leo received from his wonderful caregivers, Tasha, Hannah, Olivia, Rosetta and Whitni, April, Mrs. Milton, and his hospice nurse, Beth.



The funeral service will be held at 2 o'clock Wednesday afternoon at the graveside, Bonaventure Cemetery, conducted by Rabbi Avigdor Slatus. ???? ?? ?? ?? ?? ??



??Remembrances:?? Henry Walter Center College Scholarship Fund at the Jewish Educational Alliance ' 5111 Abercorn Street, Savannah, Georgia 31405 or Hospice Savannah - Post Office Box 13190, Savannah, Georgia??31406-0190 .