Brother Joel N. Counsel, 78, entered eternal rest at home surrounded by love, on September 20, 2021. He was the beloved husband of 53 years to Phyllis Counsel.
Mr. Counsel was born in Tuskegee, AL on November 8, 1942, a son of the late Booker Renfroe and Willie Lois Counsel. He was inducted into the Army in 1965 and received an Honorable Discharge in 1967. Upon receiving his Honorable Discharge, he moved to Connecticut, and married his lovely wife, Phyllis Barnes.
Prior to retiring, Joel was employed at Pratt & Whitney Aircraft for 38 years as a Machine Tool Service Technician.
Brother Counsel accepted Christ at a young age and began his spiritual calling as a servant at Union Temple Freewill Baptist Church, under the leadership of the late Bishop Herman Epps and currently, Pastor Elmer Hardy. He served in many leadership roles at Union Temple including the Usher Board, Sunday School Teacher, Assistant Superintendent and the Board of Trustees. His favorite scripture was John 3:16.
For those that loved him, you knew he was a reserved man of God who spoke with love and wisdom. He was charitable and loved to teach God’s word. He strived to be an example of God’s love not only in words, but also in deeds. Joel was a man about “Business”, “God’s Business.”
In addition to his wife, he is survived by his daughter, Tameka Counsel Judd; son in-law, Michael Judd; a brother, Willie Counsel; his granddaughters, Ani, Autumn and Alanna Judd; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, godchildren and friends.
He was predeceased by a brother, Calvin Counsel; and a sister, Marzelle Griffin.
A Celebration of Mr. Counsel’s life and legacy will be held Thursday, September 30, 2021, at 11:00 A.M. at Union Temple Church, 54 Platt St., New Haven. A Visitation will be held at the church from 10:00-11:00 A.M. The burial will be in Evergreen Cemetery. Anyone attending the services must adhere to all safety precautions.
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To the-family of Joel, sorry to hear about Joe, he truly was an awesome man of God, be of good courage, my condolences is with you and the family. Love ya
Sis Counsel, Tameka, and family Bro Counsel was so many thing to so many people. He touched my live in so many ways. Through his teaching, Godly words and actions. I was blessed to learn the business side of the church through our years of working together on the Trustee Board. I seated right beside him, where he trained me. That extended to to the many social outings – he loved his fried shrimp from Jimmies. I will always remember him saying. your not responsible for how people treat you, but you are responsible for how you treat people.. Words I shall never forgot and try to apply daily. He will be missed, but not EVER forgotten. I am here for the family today, tomorrow, and always. Love Sis Shirley Joyner
To the Counsel family, words can’t express our sadness about Joe but we will try. We will miss his kindness and his gentle spirit. He was truly a very fine person in every sense of the word. We were blessed to have Joe as a neighbor and we are sharing your loss with our deepest sympathy.
To the family of Joel we are sorry about our loving brother Joel, he will be miss . I’m so glad to know you, you were a wonderful person in Christ I’ll miss your teaching. May God be with the family. We send our love.
Sis. Kathleen Langley and family
To the Counsel Family: We pray God’s strength and comfort for you all during this time and the many days ahead. We will forever remember Bro. Counsel for his love and kindness demonstrated to us and many others. We were blessed to witness the matching of his walk with his talk and for that we truly give God praise.
Charlesann & Donnis Goode
Gastonia, North Carolina
May God hug all of you during your time of bereavement. Mr. Counsel left a great legacy and accomplishments in his life hold them and apply them in your daily walk with God. May you all rest in God’s Sweet Peace.
With Deepest Sympathy, Love the Nesmith, Cross, Judd, Perkins and Cross Family.
So sorry to hear of Joel’s demise, l remember Joe and l working on many machines at Pratt on many occasions. I consider Joe a friend and enjoyed being in his company . He was truly a good person and l use to joke around with him and he would laugh. I was from Florida and he was from Alabama (both southerners we had that in common . Joe certainly will be missed. God continue to bless his family and watch over them throughout this difficult time