Security first for Leo the Lion

At the ripe age of 88, friends of St. Clement, Lansdowne, parishioner Leo Kursch still call him Leo the Lion and his roar continues to attract calls from companies who want him to guard events.

Though the widowed father of two daughters retired from the A&P Warehouse in 1979, he decided he wasn’t prepared to hang up his security hat and 28 years later continues his mission of safeguarding his community, local businesses and the citizens they serve.

Baptized at St. Mary Star of the Sea in South Baltimore, Mr. Kursch has worked security for a variety of organizations – including Pinkerton and Catholic Charities – and has volunteered his services for different church groups over the years.

The love of keeping things secure on his watch has helped him through the good times and the bad. When his wife died at age 33 of diabetes, he was able to forge ahead knowing that he had an important mission in life.
The World War II veteran and former marathon runner decided that continuing to work long after retirement was the medicine he needed to ensure a long and healthy existence, and the security assignment at the Maryland State Fairgrounds in Timonium for a special event in late October was a welcome task.

“My doctor said if I stopped doing what I’m doing, I wouldn’t be around,” Mr. Kursch said with a hearty laugh. “Work is keeping me active. It keeps me moving and keeps me alert. Why would I want to give that up?”