Leo Francis Vogel

Mr. Leo Francis Vogel, age 89, of Charlotte, N.C. died Sunday August 28, 2016 peacefully at his home surrounded by loved ones.Born March 3, 1927 in Pittsburgh, Penn. to Richard Elton Vogel and Helene Smith Vogel. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy in January of 1945 and served on the Edward H. Allen Destroyer Escort Ship during WWII as an Electricians Mate Third Class. He returned stateside on July 13, 1946 with an honorable discharge. Thanks to the G.I. Bill, he was afforded a full college education at Indiana University of Pennsylvania, graduating in 1950 with a degree in Education. He went on to begin a brief teaching career in the Pittsburgh School System until finding his way into the radio business as an “on air news man” (mainly based on his deep clear voice). He eventually landed himself a “Radio Jock” (Disc Jockey) position. The popular “Lee Vogel Show” led him all over the U.S. and Canada as a very popular on air personality in Toronto, Hartford, Boston, Baltimore and Buffalo, N.Y.He married the love of his life, Barbara Louise Wilson Vogel in July of 1965; and after five years in their beloved Mattapoisett, Massachusetts, they returned to Western New York area where they settled to raise their children and be closer to family. Leo was employed at WKBW in Buffalo, N.Y., Power Authority of The State of N.Y. as Director of Public Relations and eventually retired from The City of Niagara Falls as Superintendent of Public Works Department in 1992. As an athlete all his life, he served as Assistant Coach of the U. Mass. – Dartmouth basketball team and played every sport known to man throughout his life. He was a mentor to many neighborhood kids in the Niagara Falls area (especially on the basketball court) and was known to school many of them even into his late fifties. After retiring to Charleston, S.C. in 1993, he traveled to Baton Rouge for the Senior Olympic Games in 1998- earning a Gold Medal in Basketball for the State of S.C. at 71 years of age. He played competitive softball in various Charleston area leagues for many years and was a key teammate against players 20 years his junior.He obtained his Master Gardener Certification from The College of Charleston and was a huge history buff with an expertise especially regarding the Civil War. He worked at Charlestowne Landing as a guide for many years educating tourists on the importance of that historical Port. He knew more about the Civil War than many folks that had written books or specialized training on the subject.Leo relocated to Sun City Carolina Lakes in Indian Land, S.C. in late 2010 to be closer to his son, Kristofer. He continued to be extremely active in athletics and played on many softball teams at Sun City. He was known as “Leo the Legend” and enjoyed a fairly impressive fan base. He was also active in the Choral Society, Singles Club and always the life of a Karaoke party. He touched just about everyone he met in some special way and will be remembered for his electric smile and beautiful sense of humor.Leo was preceded in death by his wife, Barbara Louise Vogel (2013), and brothers, Ronnie Vogel and Francis Vogel.He is survived by sons, Kristofer L. Vogel (Charlotte, N.C.), Kurt A. Vogel and wife, Monica Vogel and granddaughter, Courtney Cullen Vogel (Pacific Grove, Calif.), Melissa Vogel and partner Lisa Andrews (Edmonton, Alberta, Canada), William Mark Vogel and wife Stacey Vogel (Calabash, N.C.), Cynthia Vogel Serafini, Gary Vogel and Joah Vogel Hackett. His dearest sister, Helene (Bebe) Coe and husband Chuck Coe Sr. (Bethesda, Md.), sister-in-law Elizabeth (Betty) Vogel (Charlotte, N.C.), sister, Margot Isenberg and husband, Norman (Houston, Tex.), sister, Mary and husband Tracey (Bradenton, Fla.), brother, Elton Vogel and wife Mary (Charleston, S.C.); and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. Also surviving are his brother-in-law, Keith “Skip” Wilson (Lura) of Grand Island, N.Y.; nieces-in-law, Lisa Mazurek (Danny) and Cheryl Wienckowski (Jim) of Grand Island, N.Y. Additionally his extended Charlotte family of Ms. Belinda Hicks Broderick, Miss Leigh Whicker, Alice Cutter, Christina Cougill and wife, Shara Speer (Eliott Foster Cougill) and Mr. James Carroll of Boston, Mass. and many, many more.Services will be held Saturday, September 10th at 11 a.m. at Caldwell Memorial Presbyterian Church, 1609 E. 5th Street Charlotte, N.C. with Pastor John Cleghorn officiating.Read Obituary