New Canaan is in mourning following the peaceful passing of one of its most esteemed residents, Leo E. Karl, Jr., at the age of 94, in his home on January 13, 2024. Born on April 18, 1929, Karl’s life story reads like a chronicle of dedication, service, and unwavering commitment to the principles of faith, family, and community.
In announcing his passing, the Karl family said, “The entire Karl family would like to publicly thank the hundreds of business associates , town employees, the faith community, extended family members, neighbors, and fellow residents, for reaching out with their kind notes, emails, and texts. It has truly been amazing. Obviously, we all know what an amazing place New Canaan is, but when life gets challenging, no place on earth rallies like our town. We are truly blessed to be a small part of such an incredible and supportive community.”
Stephen Karl, speaking of his father said, “My Dad was a very inspirational individual in a number of ways. He was a man of few words, but his comments were always chosen with thought and respect. He served on many different Boards over the years, and anyone that served with him knew that he was a big fan of diligent and short meetings. He actually developed a reputation of ending some of the meetings with a f inal statement that would not only succinctly wrap up the long-discussed issue but would make the statement while simultaneously standing up and putting on his coat to leave!”
“In many ways my Dad had two personalities,” Karl continued. There was the serious businessman, trustee, and community leader who seemed to succeed at whatever endeavor he wanted to tackle. He was impeccably organized, goal oriented, and possessed a tenacious work ethic. But if you got to see him out of his business element, he had a legendary sense of humor, a great laugh, and had a mischievous twinkle in his eye that made you wonder what he was going to do or say next. Much of this behavior was amplified by the addition of his 23 grandchildren whom he adored and always treasured each and every minute with them.”
Summing up his father’s punctuality, Stephen reflected, “Leo Jr. was a man on a mission who had a very meticulous schedule that he adhered to for over fifty years. He began his day at 7 a.m. mass at St. Aloysius, came home to his home on Silvermine Road, had breakfast, and opened the doors at Karl Chevrolet at 8 a.m. on the nose. At noon it was a stop at the post office, the Bank, and then home for lunch. Back at the desk by 1 p.m., home for dinner at 6:15 p.m. You could set your watch by that schedule, six days a week. We sometimes joked that the sun would adjust itself a little because it noticed it was slightly off of his schedule!”
As the New Canaan community reflects on the life of Leo E. Karl, Jr., they find themselves grateful for his countless contributions and the lasting legacy he leaves behind.
On giving back to his community, Leo Karl, III recalled with humor, “my Dad was a long-time member of the New Canaan Lions Club. Their annual fundraiser for many years has been a raffle that featured a NY Yankees ticket subscription. I have had more people tell me that my dad would not let them leave his office without buying a raffle ticket from the Lions Club, even though they were acknowledged die hard NY Mets fans.”
He went on to say, “we believe that it was around 1983 when Leo Jr got the idea to rekindle a local tradition that he remembered from his youth. After making some phone calls to find a supplier and then getting a permit from town, he set out to gather support around the idea of stocking Mill Pond with trout and hold a fishing derby. That spring, dozens of young New Canaanites arrived on the banks of Mill Pond to cast their luck at landing a prized trout. And just like that, an old New Canaan tradition was reborn that is still ongoing today.”
Leo Karl, III concluded by saying, “my siblings and I have acknowledged that we don’t get to choose our birth parents; but we certainly believe that we won the parent lottery! We have been blessed to have had our Dad for all these years and even more fortunate to have such a strong role model in our lives. Our family views this as a time for gratitude and to celebrate a life well lived.”
A native of New Canaan, born to Leo Emil Karl and Rose Leontine Kelley Karl, Leo’s journey began at the brink of the Great Depression. His early education at the Little Red Schoolhouse, taught by his aunt Miss Mary Kelley, set the stage for a life grounded in community values and personal responsibility. The Karl and Kelley families were already influential in town life, contributing significantly to local landmarks like the Bristow Bird Sanctuary and New Canaan High School.
Karl’s life was a tapestry of personal and professional accomplishments woven with the threads of deep community involvement and family connections. His academic path took him from Saxe Middle School to New Canaan High School, culminating in a Bachelor of Business Administration from Fairfield University in 1951.
The loss of his father at a young age instilled in Karl a profound appreciation for family bonds, a sentiment that would define much of his life’s work. His service in the U.S. Army during the Korean War as a Communications Officer in the 110th Infantry Regiment in Germany further broadened his horizons, igniting a lifelong passion for travel and adventure.
In 1957, Karl took the helm of the family business, Karl Chevrolet, bringing a spirit of innovation and community service to the role. His leadership saw the dealership navigate through economic challenges while maintaining a reputation for exceptional service and community involvement.
Beyond his business acumen, Karl’s life was rich in community service and philanthropy. He was a founding incorporator of the New Canaan Savings Bank, a long-standing member of the New Canaan Board of Social Services, and held leadership roles in numerous local organizations, including the Poinsettia Club, New Canaan Lions Club, and the New Canaan Historical Society.
His personal life was equally full. In 1957, he married Katherine Margaret Horan, and together they raised a family of ten children on a plot of land gifted to them, which Karl transformed with his own hands into a warm and loving home. His commitment to his family was unwavering, marked by a deep involvement in his children’s and grandchildren’s lives and a penchant for sharing his love of the outdoors and practical skills.
Karl’s devotion to his faith was a cornerstone of his existence. A lifelong member of Saint Aloysius Roman Catholic Church, he served in various capacities, including as an altar boy, usher, and parish trustee, embodying the values of his faith in his daily life.
As the New Canaan community reflects on the life of Leo E. Karl, Jr., they find themselves grateful for his countless contributions and the lasting legacy he leaves behind. A life, indeed, well-lived, marked by a commitment to faith, family, and community that will continue to inspire for generations to come.
