Born April 29th, 1912 in Brooklyn, New York to Minnie Wolfenstein & Baron Fels along with his brother Reuben Fels, he met and married Dorothy May Hall and had two children, Bonnie Claire Birkrem & William Baron Fels. They moved to Orlando, FL in the early 1960's where he passed away June 11th, 2007.
`Leon The Legend'
He Keeps Young And Healthy Selling Cars - At 82.
May 22, 1994|By JEFF RUSNAK Special to the Sun-Sentinel
If you shop for a car at Al Hendrickson Toyota in Coconut Creek and see an elderly man wearing glasses, a baseball cap, bright suspenders, a floral print tie and sneakers, do not mistake him for a greeter.
He's Leon Fels, a car salesman who at age 82 has a work ethic that is timeless. Selling cars is supposed to be a young man's game. Think of Fels as being young. He certainly acts that way.
Fels walks stairs two steps at a time, works 50 hours a week and is one of the leading salesmen at Al Hendrickson. He celebrated his 82nd birthday at the dealership on April 29, then went out and sold cars, just like he's done since 1937.
"I feel like I'm 35," Fels said the day before his party. "As a matter of fact I feel healthier now than when I was 50."
Fels was 77 when owner Al Hendrickson Sr. offered him a job. Fels was tending to his granddaughter at the time, who was terminally ill with ovarian cancer. After his granddaughter's death, Fels began selling cars for Hendrickson at a clip of between 200 and 250 a year.
"I think he's an inspiration," said Hendrickson, who has known Fels for 23 years. "Not only in his enthusiasm and salesmanship, but also in integrity. He's done it by being honest and forthright. People come all the way from Orlando, where he used to work, to buy cars from Leon.
"We call him `Leon the Legend' around here, and he really is a legend."
Hendrickson says Fels is the oldest car salesman in the United States. That status has its advantages and disadvantages.
"The thing about this business is nobody wants to deal with old people," Fels said. "When people come to me they ask if I'm a greeter. They don't expect to see an old salesman. Some would rather buy from me because they don't feel they'll be pressured by an old person. They feel they can talk my language."
Fels says the first 30 seconds are the most critical for a salesman. He relaxes his customers with a friendly greeting, and most importantly, lets the customer do the talking.
Fifty-seven years ago Fels was an oil changer making $10 a week in Long Island, New York. He decided to become a salesman after he saw a dapper-looking guy in a suit stride into the garage. Fels learned that the guy sold cars for $34 a week.
He became a salesman and made a $15 commission on his car, a 1936 Chevy that sold for $250.
"I learned you work with your head instead of your hands," he said. "That's never changed. It's the same world."
Fels is pretty much the same, too. He's been taking vitamins and eating fat-free food most of this life. He credits his diet and 15 minutes of exercise each morning for his infectious energy.
Two years ago Fels moved to Helena, Mont., to get away from the crime and drugs in South Florida. But Montana wasn't fast enough for him.
"Too laid back," he said. "They sold three cars a day there. We sell 400 a month. I'm the kind of guy that can't sit still.
"I guess you could call me a workaholic, but I only work 50 or 60 hours a week. I used to work 100 hours a week. The years have caught up with me."
Fels' wife, Dorothy, died 10 years ago after 40 years of marriage. That did not slow Fels.
For many elderly couples the death of one spouse often leads to severe depression and a quick death of the survivor. Fels has managed to keep himself young and fit through his work.
"Fifty years ago I was in business in Daytona and people would go there to retire," Fels said. "Within a year they would die. That's when I made up my mind I would never retire. If I live to be 100 I'll be active as long as I'm healthy."
"I see men come here and they have nothing to do but look at cars. It's a boring life. I don't know what boring or depressing means. What they have to do is get a job."
`Leon The Legend'
He Keeps Young And Healthy Selling Cars - At 82.
May 22, 1994|By JEFF RUSNAK Special to the Sun-Sentinel
If you shop for a car at Al Hendrickson Toyota in Coconut Creek and see an elderly man wearing glasses, a baseball cap, bright suspenders, a floral print tie and sneakers, do not mistake him for a greeter.
He's Leon Fels, a car salesman who at age 82 has a work ethic that is timeless. Selling cars is supposed to be a young man's game. Think of Fels as being young. He certainly acts that way.
Fels walks stairs two steps at a time, works 50 hours a week and is one of the leading salesmen at Al Hendrickson. He celebrated his 82nd birthday at the dealership on April 29, then went out and sold cars, just like he's done since 1937.
"I feel like I'm 35," Fels said the day before his party. "As a matter of fact I feel healthier now than when I was 50."
Fels was 77 when owner Al Hendrickson Sr. offered him a job. Fels was tending to his granddaughter at the time, who was terminally ill with ovarian cancer. After his granddaughter's death, Fels began selling cars for Hendrickson at a clip of between 200 and 250 a year.
"I think he's an inspiration," said Hendrickson, who has known Fels for 23 years. "Not only in his enthusiasm and salesmanship, but also in integrity. He's done it by being honest and forthright. People come all the way from Orlando, where he used to work, to buy cars from Leon.
"We call him `Leon the Legend' around here, and he really is a legend."
Hendrickson says Fels is the oldest car salesman in the United States. That status has its advantages and disadvantages.
"The thing about this business is nobody wants to deal with old people," Fels said. "When people come to me they ask if I'm a greeter. They don't expect to see an old salesman. Some would rather buy from me because they don't feel they'll be pressured by an old person. They feel they can talk my language."
Fels says the first 30 seconds are the most critical for a salesman. He relaxes his customers with a friendly greeting, and most importantly, lets the customer do the talking.
Fifty-seven years ago Fels was an oil changer making $10 a week in Long Island, New York. He decided to become a salesman after he saw a dapper-looking guy in a suit stride into the garage. Fels learned that the guy sold cars for $34 a week.
He became a salesman and made a $15 commission on his car, a 1936 Chevy that sold for $250.
"I learned you work with your head instead of your hands," he said. "That's never changed. It's the same world."
Fels is pretty much the same, too. He's been taking vitamins and eating fat-free food most of this life. He credits his diet and 15 minutes of exercise each morning for his infectious energy.
Two years ago Fels moved to Helena, Mont., to get away from the crime and drugs in South Florida. But Montana wasn't fast enough for him.
"Too laid back," he said. "They sold three cars a day there. We sell 400 a month. I'm the kind of guy that can't sit still.
"I guess you could call me a workaholic, but I only work 50 or 60 hours a week. I used to work 100 hours a week. The years have caught up with me."
Fels' wife, Dorothy, died 10 years ago after 40 years of marriage. That did not slow Fels.
For many elderly couples the death of one spouse often leads to severe depression and a quick death of the survivor. Fels has managed to keep himself young and fit through his work.
"Fifty years ago I was in business in Daytona and people would go there to retire," Fels said. "Within a year they would die. That's when I made up my mind I would never retire. If I live to be 100 I'll be active as long as I'm healthy."
"I see men come here and they have nothing to do but look at cars. It's a boring life. I don't know what boring or depressing means. What they have to do is get a job."
Born April 29th, 1912 in Brooklyn, New York to Minnie Wolfenstein & Baron Fels along with his brother Reuben Fels, he met and married Dorothy May Hall and had two children, Bonnie Claire Birkrem & William Baron Fels. They moved to Orlando, FL in the early 1960's where he passed away June 11th, 2007.
`Leon The Legend'
He Keeps Young And Healthy Selling Cars - At 82.
May 22, 1994|By JEFF RUSNAK Special to the Sun-Sentinel
If you shop for a car at Al Hendrickson Toyota in Coconut Creek and see an elderly man wearing glasses, a baseball cap, bright suspenders, a floral print tie and sneakers, do not mistake him for a greeter.
He's Leon Fels, a car salesman who at age 82 has a work ethic that is timeless. Selling cars is supposed to be a young man's game. Think of Fels as being young. He certainly acts that way.
Fels walks stairs two steps at a time, works 50 hours a week and is one of the leading salesmen at Al Hendrickson. He celebrated his 82nd birthday at the dealership on April 29, then went out and sold cars, just like he's done since 1937.
"I feel like I'm 35," Fels said the day before his party. "As a matter of fact I feel healthier now than when I was 50."
Fels was 77 when owner Al Hendrickson Sr. offered him a job. Fels was tending to his granddaughter at the time, who was terminally ill with ovarian cancer. After his granddaughter's death, Fels began selling cars for Hendrickson at a clip of between 200 and 250 a year.
"I think he's an inspiration," said Hendrickson, who has known Fels for 23 years. "Not only in his enthusiasm and salesmanship, but also in integrity. He's done it by being honest and forthright. People come all the way from Orlando, where he used to work, to buy cars from Leon.
"We call him `Leon the Legend' around here, and he really is a legend."
Hendrickson says Fels is the oldest car salesman in the United States. That status has its advantages and disadvantages.
"The thing about this business is nobody wants to deal with old people," Fels said. "When people come to me they ask if I'm a greeter. They don't expect to see an old salesman. Some would rather buy from me because they don't feel they'll be pressured by an old person. They feel they can talk my language."
Fels says the first 30 seconds are the most critical for a salesman. He relaxes his customers with a friendly greeting, and most importantly, lets the customer do the talking.
Fifty-seven years ago Fels was an oil changer making $10 a week in Long Island, New York. He decided to become a salesman after he saw a dapper-looking guy in a suit stride into the garage. Fels learned that the guy sold cars for $34 a week.
He became a salesman and made a $15 commission on his car, a 1936 Chevy that sold for $250.
"I learned you work with your head instead of your hands," he said. "That's never changed. It's the same world."
Fels is pretty much the same, too. He's been taking vitamins and eating fat-free food most of this life. He credits his diet and 15 minutes of exercise each morning for his infectious energy.
Two years ago Fels moved to Helena, Mont., to get away from the crime and drugs in South Florida. But Montana wasn't fast enough for him.
"Too laid back," he said. "They sold three cars a day there. We sell 400 a month. I'm the kind of guy that can't sit still.
"I guess you could call me a workaholic, but I only work 50 or 60 hours a week. I used to work 100 hours a week. The years have caught up with me."
Fels' wife, Dorothy, died 10 years ago after 40 years of marriage. That did not slow Fels.
For many elderly couples the death of one spouse often leads to severe depression and a quick death of the survivor. Fels has managed to keep himself young and fit through his work.
"Fifty years ago I was in business in Daytona and people would go there to retire," Fels said. "Within a year they would die. That's when I made up my mind I would never retire. If I live to be 100 I'll be active as long as I'm healthy."
"I see men come here and they have nothing to do but look at cars. It's a boring life. I don't know what boring or depressing means. What they have to do is get a job."
`Leon The Legend'
He Keeps Young And Healthy Selling Cars - At 82.
May 22, 1994|By JEFF RUSNAK Special to the Sun-Sentinel
If you shop for a car at Al Hendrickson Toyota in Coconut Creek and see an elderly man wearing glasses, a baseball cap, bright suspenders, a floral print tie and sneakers, do not mistake him for a greeter.
He's Leon Fels, a car salesman who at age 82 has a work ethic that is timeless. Selling cars is supposed to be a young man's game. Think of Fels as being young. He certainly acts that way.
Fels walks stairs two steps at a time, works 50 hours a week and is one of the leading salesmen at Al Hendrickson. He celebrated his 82nd birthday at the dealership on April 29, then went out and sold cars, just like he's done since 1937.
"I feel like I'm 35," Fels said the day before his party. "As a matter of fact I feel healthier now than when I was 50."
Fels was 77 when owner Al Hendrickson Sr. offered him a job. Fels was tending to his granddaughter at the time, who was terminally ill with ovarian cancer. After his granddaughter's death, Fels began selling cars for Hendrickson at a clip of between 200 and 250 a year.
"I think he's an inspiration," said Hendrickson, who has known Fels for 23 years. "Not only in his enthusiasm and salesmanship, but also in integrity. He's done it by being honest and forthright. People come all the way from Orlando, where he used to work, to buy cars from Leon.
"We call him `Leon the Legend' around here, and he really is a legend."
Hendrickson says Fels is the oldest car salesman in the United States. That status has its advantages and disadvantages.
"The thing about this business is nobody wants to deal with old people," Fels said. "When people come to me they ask if I'm a greeter. They don't expect to see an old salesman. Some would rather buy from me because they don't feel they'll be pressured by an old person. They feel they can talk my language."
Fels says the first 30 seconds are the most critical for a salesman. He relaxes his customers with a friendly greeting, and most importantly, lets the customer do the talking.
Fifty-seven years ago Fels was an oil changer making $10 a week in Long Island, New York. He decided to become a salesman after he saw a dapper-looking guy in a suit stride into the garage. Fels learned that the guy sold cars for $34 a week.
He became a salesman and made a $15 commission on his car, a 1936 Chevy that sold for $250.
"I learned you work with your head instead of your hands," he said. "That's never changed. It's the same world."
Fels is pretty much the same, too. He's been taking vitamins and eating fat-free food most of this life. He credits his diet and 15 minutes of exercise each morning for his infectious energy.
Two years ago Fels moved to Helena, Mont., to get away from the crime and drugs in South Florida. But Montana wasn't fast enough for him.
"Too laid back," he said. "They sold three cars a day there. We sell 400 a month. I'm the kind of guy that can't sit still.
"I guess you could call me a workaholic, but I only work 50 or 60 hours a week. I used to work 100 hours a week. The years have caught up with me."
Fels' wife, Dorothy, died 10 years ago after 40 years of marriage. That did not slow Fels.
For many elderly couples the death of one spouse often leads to severe depression and a quick death of the survivor. Fels has managed to keep himself young and fit through his work.
"Fifty years ago I was in business in Daytona and people would go there to retire," Fels said. "Within a year they would die. That's when I made up my mind I would never retire. If I live to be 100 I'll be active as long as I'm healthy."
"I see men come here and they have nothing to do but look at cars. It's a boring life. I don't know what boring or depressing means. What they have to do is get a job."
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