MEMORIAL RESOLUTION FOR BOARD MEETING OF MAY 1, 2008
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MEMORIAL RESOLUTION sponsored by the Board of Commissioners offering sympathy and condolences to the family of Leon Dorsey Finney, Sr. (As Revised)
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WHEREAS, Leon Dorsey Finney, Sr. was called to eternal rest on April 3, 2008; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Finney was born on May 16, 1916 to Lula Dorsey Finney and Thomas Jefferson Huddleston in Louise, Mississippi; and
WHEREAS, after losing his mother at an early age, Leon was raised by his grandparents Alex and Patsy Montgomery, who taught him the virtues of hard work through farming their 1000 acre farm; and
WHEREAS, his father, founder and organizer of Century Burial Association, Century Funeral Homes, Century Casket Factory and the Afro Americans Sons and Daughters Hospital, taught him how to be a successful businessman; and
WHEREAS, after moving to Chicago with the intent to join the United States Navy, Mr. Finney recognized the potential for opportunities and set to work building the brand Leon’s Bar B Que; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Finney combined his tangy sauce with his purchasing acumen to create a sustainable profit and make Leon’s one of the best selling ribs in Chicago; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Finney never forgot how help from his father and aunt, Bertha, allowed him to develop and grow his business and he helped young entrepreneurs, both family and friends, in pursuing their dreams, including Leon Dorsey Finney, who brought Leon’s Bar B Que to the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta, Georgia, and Mike Espy, the first Black Congressman from Mississippi; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Finney was instrumental in the community, supporting individuals and causes, such as the rebuilding of Holy Angels Church, both personally and financially; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Finney was preceded in death by his siblings, Dorothy, Helen, Carrie, Lula, Ethel, Jean, T.J. Jr., and Toledo and his son Cleon; and
WHEREAS, countless people, including his brother Roy; his children Leon Jr. (Georgette), Gwendolyn (James), Zenobia Renee, Michael, Michelle, and Andre; his grandchildren Katherine, Cleon Jr., Ongelia, Bannon, Reginald, Kendrick, Andrea, Kristin (Gerald), Tijuana, Tariq and Ahmad, and a host of great grandchildren, nephews, nieces, cousins friends and employees mourn the passing of this hard working and honorable man who lived a full and honest life; 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, do hereby extend our sympathy and condolences to the family of Leon Dorsey Finney, Sr.; 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 Leon Dorsey Finney, Sr.
Dated: May 1, 2008
Approved: TERRENCE J. O’BRIEN, President; KATHLEEN THERESE MEANY, Vice-President; GLORIA ALITTO MAJEWSKI, Chairman, Committee on Finance; FRANK AVILA; PATRICIA HORTON; BARBARA J. MCGOWAN; CYNTHIA M. SANTOS; DEBRA SHORE; PATRICIA YOUNG Commissioners of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago
Approved as to Form and Legality: Frederick M. Feldman, Attorney