Hugh Brent ‘Boots’ Councill, enjoyed singing
Hugh Brent “Boots” Councill, 93, of Lewes passed away Thursday, June 18, 2020. Born in Baltimore, Md., the son of James Jefferson Councill and Jessie Katherine Powell Councill, he is survived by his wife of 65 years, Flo Carleen Mohr Councill, and son, Brent James Councill.
Hugh resided in Baltimore, and later in Westminster, Md., for 25 years before moving to Lewes in 2002. He graduated from Forest Park High School in Baltimore where he played ice hockey and was awarded the Tim Mullan trophy for Best Team Player Season 1944-45 in the Baltimore High School Ice Hockey League.
Immediately following high school, Hugh served in the Army during World War II. Upon honorable discharge at the end of the war, he attended Lycoming College, Williamsport, Pa., and Western Maryland College, Westminster.
After college, Hugh worked for 23 years in the family-owned business, Baltimore Funeral Supply Co., becoming president and owner of the 35-year-old business upon his father’s death. Upon closing the business to make way for Baltimore’s Inner Harbor development and the Baltimore Convention Center, he pursued employment in various fields before retiring from the National Security Agency, U.S, Department of Defense, in 1995.
Hugh loved people - especially singing to them at the Lemon Tree Restaurant and along Second Street in Lewes and wherever his travels took him. He was well-known for singing his favorite song, “Ole Lewes in the State of Delaware,” written by Bill Earl and adopted by Mayor and City Council as Official City of Lewes Song July 11, 2011. Hugh also sang for several years in the Groome Church Choir.
He had many interests, hobbies, and memberships. He played golf, skied, did photography, painted, sketched and traveled worldwide. A member of the United Methodist Church, he belonged to Groome Church, Lewes, Sandymount Church, Westminster, and Grace, St. Marks, and Walbrook Churches, Baltimore. He was active in the Lewes Men’s Chorus, (16 years); Sharon Masonic Lodge, Reisterstown, Md. (55 years); Jefferson Masonic Lodge, Lewes; Boumi Temple Shrine, Baltimore; Sons of the American Revolution (SAR), Westminster; camera clubs in Baltimore and Westminster; and the Ocean Waves Quilt Guild, Lewes.
Hugh chose to become a donor for medical research upon his death in an effort to serve humanity.
A memorial service to celebrate Hugh's life will be held at a later date. He will be missed by his family, friends and relatives.
Donations in Hugh’s memory may be made to Shriners Hospitals for Children, donate.lovetotherescue.org, 2900 Rocky Point Drive, Tampa, FL 33607 or 855-401-4897.
Arrangements are being handled by Parsell Funeral Homes & Crematorium, Atkins-Lodge Chapel, Lewes.
Please visit Hugh's Life Memorial Webpage and sign his online guestbook at www.parsellfuneralhomes.com.
