MEMORIAL RESOLUTION FOR BOARD MEETING OF NOVEMBER 5, 2015
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MEMORIAL RESOLUTION sponsored by the Board of Commissioners extending sympathy and condolences to the family of Joseph Young
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WHEREAS, Joseph Young was born April 17, 1943 in Chicago to Willie Frank Young and Margaret Elizabeth Lindly, the fifth of their eight children; and
WHEREAS, Joseph was a member of Gammon Memorial Methodist Church, where he was baptized as a baby and where he confirmed his belief in Christ at age 12; and
WHEREAS, after graduating from Farragut High School in 1962, Joseph worked various jobs in Chicago before moving to New Orleans in 1965; and
WHEREAS, Joseph met his wife, Perry while she was studying at Dillard University in New Orleans; and
WHEREAS, after returning to Chicago in 1966, Joseph was drafted into the army the following year, serving a one year tour of duty in Vietnam; and
WHEREAS, Joseph was discharged in 1970 at the rank of Sergeant, and married Perry on July 18th of the same year; and
WHEREAS, son Damon Avery was born to this union and son Jimmy Myu was adopted, completing the family with daughter Lavitia Brunson Arnold, from a previous marriage; and
WHEREAS, after moving from the West Side to Auburn Gresham, Joseph became immersed in local community affairs; he was elected President of the Foster Park Community Council three times and formed two Little League teams, called the Panthers; and
WHEREAS, in 1971, Joseph began using his natural talents for politics, eventually becoming a campaign manager and political strategist for numerous local, regional, statewide and national campaigns, the most memorable and rewarding of which were as Field Director for the 1983 Harold Washington campaign and Illinois State Director of the 1992 Clinton campaign, which made him the first African American Illinois State Director for the Democratic National Committee; and
WHEREAS, Joseph’s other great passions, besides his family, were his skills in carpentry, electricity and plumbing and helping young people in his community; and
WHEREAS, Joseph set many examples of leadership and courage in his life, offset only by his gentleness and compassion for children and animals, especially his grandchildren, who were faultless in his eyes; and
WHEREAS, Joseph passed from this life on September 23rd, 2015, joining his parents, his brothers John, William and Phillip and his sister Linda, who preceded him in death; and
WHEREAS, Joseph leaves to cherish his memory his wife, Perry; sons Damon Avery Young, Sr. and Jimmy Myu Young (Nikkie); daughter Lavitia (Rev. Larry) Arnold; his brother Pastor James Young (Betty Jean); sisters Rev. Rhoda J. Barnes and Judy Young; sister-in-law Gert Young; nephews Jerry M. Young, Raymond Young, Rodney Young, Eric Young, Eugene Hall, Charles Chambers (Andrea), Michael Chambers, Jr. (Kimberly) and Monte Chambers; nieces Rosalind Robinson, Margo Elizabeth Young, Rhonda Minor, Marchand Martin (Kelly) and Tanya Hall; grandchildren Jonay Brunson, Damon Avery Young, Jr., Kennedy Young, Jasmine Mitchell, Asia Young, Kenya Stubbs, Jordan Hillman and Jayden Hillman; and a host of other friends and relatives; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that we, the Board of Commissioners of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago, on behalf of ourselves and staff, extend our sympathy and condolences to the family of Joseph Young and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this Resolution be spread upon the permanent Record of Proceedings of the Board of Commissioners of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago, and that a copy of same, suitably engrossed, be presented to the family of Joseph Young.
Dated: November 5, 2015
Approved: MARIYANA T. SPYROPOULOS, President; BARBARA J. MCGOWAN, Vice President; FRANK AVILA, Chairman, Committee on Finance; MICHAEL A. ALVAREZ; TIMOTHY BRADFORD; CYNTHIA M. SANTOS; DEBRA SHORE; KARI K. STEELE; DAVID J. WALSH; Commissioners of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago
Approved as to Form and Legality: Ronald M. Hill, General Counsel