CHESAPEAKE — He may have been christened Paul, but everyone knew him as Hammie.

Chesapeake Village Councilman, longtime Chesapeake school board member, Collins Career Center school board member, Tee and Little League coach, all these described Paul “Hammie” Leffingwell. But mostly Hammie Leffingwell, who died on Sunday, was known for his kindness, especially to children.

“I think he was so effective because of his care and concern for the children of the community,” said Jeri Stallo, Chesapeake Middle School secretary. “He really, really cared about the kids.”

Stallo first met Leffingwell when her son, Joe, played Tee Ball for Leffingwell.

“If the kids got down and played in the sand that was OK,” Stallo said. “Hammie so loved this school district that even after his health declined his wife, Carol, drove him around several times a day and visited the school. He kept up with the lives and everything going on with the kids at Chesapeake. You can’t say enough about how kind he was to the kids.”

Karen Musser, sixth grade English teacher at the middle school, has memories of Hammie that date back to when she was in the first grade.

“He had a tremendous impact on so many kids in the community,” Musser said. “If you didn’t have money for your milk, he would pull three cents out of his pocket.”

Chesapeake Mayor Dick Gilpin remembers Leffingwell’s untiring work with the school’s Little League program.

“He almost ran that league for many years,” he said. “He spent all his energies down there, even mowed the grass. He was a quiet person, but very friendly. He never met a stranger.”

Leffingwell was a lifelong resident of Chesapeake, who besides his work on school boards and village council, was a dedicated Republican committeeman.

“He was just a real, fine guy,” Ray Dutey, Republican party chair, said. “He was very active up until he got sick. He was a strong supporter of mine and that Little League he just took care of that for years and years.”

It was on the ball field that Jason Stephens, GOP party vice chair and county auditor, especially remembers Hammie.

“He was always scouting the preschoolers for the team,” Stephens said. “Every time you would see him, he was always glad to see you. He was dedicated to Chesapeake and the community. He will be missed. He is a legend. There will never be another Hammie Leffingwell.”