339642684.jpg &&& CHARLOTTE COUNCIL has had a distinguished 27-year career with the Philadelphia Police Department and is now a deputy police commissioner, but when she encounters people in the Germantown area, she's "Percy's daughter."
"That's my distinction," she said.
"I might be a deputy police commissioner, but I can go almost anywhere and people will say, 'Oh, you're Percy's daughter.' "
Percy was the nickname of her father, Pernell Emanuel Council, described by his daughter as a "true son of G-Town," an outgoing guy popular with everyone, from the kids at the Mount Airy Cultural Center, where he was an honored mentor, to his bowling buddies, neighbors and just about everyone else.
"He was known for his dynamic personality," said his daughter, who heads the Police Department's Office of Violence Prevention and Victim Services. "You knew it when he came into a room."
Pernell Council, a retired engraver at the former Philadelphia Naval Shipyard, where he spent 33 years, and an outstanding cook who liked to surprise his family with his own culinary inventions, died Sunday. 
He was 82 and lived in West Oak Lane.
Percy was devoted to the Mount Airy Cultural Center, where he spent at least the last 20 years working with the young members who are testing their skills in jazz music.
An avid jazz fan, Percy helped the youngsters improve their skills and was there when they performed.
"He did whatever was needed," his daughter said. "He was one of their mentors."
Percy worked with Philly sax star Anthony H. "Tony" Williams, who founded the cultural center to teach youngsters the fundamentals of jazz and won the Mellon Jazz Community Award in 2003 for his work with the kids.
Percy also endeared himself to the students and teachers by cooking hot dogs for them after every session. He would sometimes cook for as many as 40 people every week, at his own expense.
He was so fond of the kids, he hung photos of them all over the house he owned next to his. Anytime there was a performance, he made sure he got pictures of the youngsters doing their thing.
"He was a very giving person," Tony Williams said. "He was full of fun and laughter, but when he did things for people he was kind of quiet.
"He had a personality that just glowed. He was a very inspirational person."
Tony said that the cultural center plans a special tribute to Percy at its regular rehearsal on May 25 at 6 p.m. at the LaRose Dance and Supper Club, 5531 Germantown Ave.
"It will be dedicated to him," Tony said.
Percy was born in Philadelphia to Charles and Mary F. Council. He attended Germantown High School.
His father died when he was 6, and Percy had to take odd jobs to help support the family during the Depression.
He married the former Mary Jackson in 1952, and retired from the shipyard in 1981.
Percy was not only a great cook, he was an imaginative one. He enjoyed experimenting and trying new concoctions of his own invention.
"They were always delicious," his daughter said.
Percy was also an avid bowler, and was a member of several leagues over the years.
Asked if he was any good, his daughter said, "He thought so."
Besides his wife and daughter, he is survived by a son, Charlotte's twin, Clinton; another daughter, Barbara; a brother, Charles Freeman Council, now 93; and three grandchildren.
Services: 11 a.m. tomorrow at Corinthian Baptist Church, 6100 N. 21st St.
Friends may call at 8 a.m. Burial will be in Ivy Hill Cemetery. *