…ON LEONARD
Many thoughts come to mind when reflecting on the light of a life now dimmed: How do we consider the measure of a man? Was the sum of the life larger than its parts? Was it a life lived well? In remembering my brother, Leonard Ingraham, his was a life well lived. He was a larger than life personality (literally and figuratively); full of contradictions; gregarious, with a chuckle of a laugh; and self-effacing. In short – he was human. Unique in his totality.
Yet, what I will remember most about my brother is his irrepressible spirit of generosity. He embodied a natural sense of caring, always had a kind word to offer, giving more than he took. He was encouraging, selfless to a fault Smiled more than he frowned.
We were born a year apart. I was the “slightly” older brother. As children, we slept, fought and tussled in the same bed. As adults, our lives took divergent paths – all too distant paths, but brotherly love was always the connective tissue that joined us at the proverbial hip. When I returned to Detroit after college, it was Leonard who bragged about his older brother “Tony," making introductions on my behalf that set me on a path to a position in the administration of Mayor Coleman Young.
Leonard excelled as well, rising up the ranks in the city’s Engineering Dept., where he developed a command of city ordinances and regulations; becoming the “go to person” for department attorneys.
Yes…Leonard gave more than he took. More than often, expecting nothing in return, but respect and love. He opened many doors for others as well, offering a better chance, a better life.
Leonard loved to cook, eat, drink, travel. He was smart, articulate, personable, a conversationalist, easy to meet people. Most importantly, Leonard loved his family, his siblings, his extended family, and was a bridge between generations.
He was my brother, whom I loved dearly and will miss timelessly.
Certainly his light will shine bright in the firmament.
~Ken “Tony” Ingraham