Fan of the game: lenny senofonte

Long before he moved to Windsor Locks in 1957 with his wife and then 3 children, Leonard Senofonte was an active sports enthusiast. Like many of his generation he learned about baseball, football and basketball playing on the sandlots of Hartford with his friends and classmates. He brought his knowledge and enthusiasm to his new home, first through his involvement in the WL Little League.   

Coaching a team sponsored by the American Legion, Lenny won several town championships.  In addition to coaching Lenny was a Little League umpire for many years.  When the 1965 Little League All-Star Team won the world championship, Lenny was right there, making the trip to Williamsport by bus.      

Lenny was a founding and prominent member of the WL Football Booster Club which was instrumental in the resurgence of youth football in Windsor Locks in the late 1960’s.  The Booster Club also supported the High School Football Program that began in 1970.  Lenny was a volunteer member of the “chain gang” during the 70’s and 80’s, giving him a close up view of every game his sons played.  He and his wife could be seen at every one of their children’s games and at many practices in the 70’s and 80’s no matter the sport or the season. 

Despite his devotion to his family and Windsor Locks sports, Lenny still found time to become a 4th degree member of the Knights of Columbus Council 26 and was an avid bowler.

Lenny proudly passed on his love of sports to the next generation of Senofontes and in the 1990’s he was a fixture at his grandchildren’s games.   Like many long suffering Windsor Locks basketball fans he took great pride in watching his grandson Matthew’s team win the 2001 state championship. 

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Lenny’s son Mark spoke on his late father’s behalf at the 2018 Hall of Fame Ceremony.

After his retirement he took up golf and remarkably registered 3 hole-in-ones.  Additionally he and his wife loved to play and watch tennis. They regularly traveled to Flushing Meadows for the U.S.  Open, and took in a number of tennis matches in Key Biscayne, Florida. Lenny was a devoted Red Sox and New York Giants fan, and when the  weather turned cold he would rarely miss watching his favorite UConn teams – the men’s and women’s basketball teams and later the football team.

Lenny was well known in town.  If there was a sporting event in the area, he was usually there or aware of the results if he couldn’t be there. He was a smart and proud man.  Few people knew more about local sports and he taught two generations of fans how to support their favorite teams in a positive and classy way.  He truly was a “Fan of the Game” and his family would especially like to thank the WLHOF for bestowing this honor on him.

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Some of Lenny’s other contributions and proud moments:

  • Watching his sons, Mark and Leonard pitch and catch to each other in the same game throughout LL and High School. (Mark was the pitcher and Len was the catcher.)
  • Booster club fundraising and dance chaperone
  • Being at every one of his children’s and grandchildren’s travel soccer and basketball games.
  • Witnessing Pequot League Championships for his son Paul’s 1982 team and his grandson Steven’s team which included their first state tournament appearance in school history in 2004.
  • Watching all three sons win the local Ford Putt Pass and Kick contest in their different age groups.

est 2005