MEMORIAL RESOLUTION FOR BOARD MEETING OF FEBRUARY 16, 2017
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MEMORIAL RESOLUTION sponsored by the Board of Commissioners extending sympathy and condolences to the family of Kenneth Ray Harris
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WHEREAS, Kenneth Ray Harris was born on April 2, 1948 in Louisville, Kentucky to Walter Harris and Mayme Gunn (nee Coffield); and
WHEREAS, Ken graduated from Saginaw High School in 1967, attended Delta College and was employed by Saginaw Powder Coating and Nexteer; and
WHEREAS, Ken was married for 19 years to his beloved wife, Esther; and
WHEREAS, Ken had a brilliant mind, was a kind, jovial, gentle soul, a wonderful uncle, brother, step-father, and brother-in-law; and
WHEREAS, Ken enjoyed dancing, playing cards, watching all Michigan sports teams, good conversations about politics and listening to all kinds of music; from John Coltrane, Miles Davis and Thelonious Monk to Mexican Cumbia music; and
WHEREAS, Ken loved cruising around in his Red Pontiac Firebird “Baby Red”; and
WHEREAS, Ken could be found tinkering around in the garage with all his new toys where he would escape to sneak a cigar or sip of tequila or whiskey; and
WHEREAS, Ken loved most of all spending time in the comforts of his home with his wife, Esther and dog, Leela; and
WHEREAS, Ken was the lucky recipient of a kidney transplant in 2001 that allowed him many more years with his family and friends; and
WHEREAS, Kenneth Ray Harris went home on January 16, 2017 at age 68; and
WHEREAS, Ken was predeceased by his beloved mother Mayme Gunn; father, Walter Harris; step-father, Robert Gunn and brothers, Walter Harris, Jr. and Larry Gunn; and
WHEREAS, Ken is survived and celebrated by his devoted wife Esther Harris (nee Torres); loving sister, Wanda Fay Gunn; step-son, Jaime Torres; future daughter-in-law, Audrey Avila; his aunts Gladys Joseph and Bonnie Coffield; his step-mother, Nina Harris; many nieces and nephews, including a special nephew, Jordan (Allis) Hubbard; brothers-in-law; sisters-in-law; friends and compadres, including life-long friends, Joe Calhoun and Herbert Williams; 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 Kenneth Ray Harris; 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.
Dated: February 16, 2017
Approved: MARIYANA T. SPYROPOULOS, President; BARBARA J. MCGOWAN, Vice President; FRANK AVILA, Chairman, Committee on Finance; TIMOTHY BRADFORD; MARTIN J. DURKAN; JOSINA MORITA; 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, RMH:aw