MEMORIAL RESOLUTION FOR BOARD MEETING OF JUNE 18, 2026
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MEMORIAL RESOLUTION sponsored by the Board of Commissioners celebrating the life of Spencer Leak, Jr.
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WHEREAS, the Board of Commissioners of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago joins in mourning the passing of Spencer Leak, Jr., Vice President of Leak & Sons Funeral Homes, whose life was defined by compassion, service, leadership, and an unwavering commitment to preserving the dignity of every human life; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Leak was the beloved son of Spencer Leak, Sr. and Henrietta Leak and grandson of the Reverend Andrew "A.R." Leak, founder of Leak & Sons Funeral Homes. He was a proud steward of a family legacy that has served Chicago's South Side and surrounding communities since 1933; and
WHEREAS, beginning at an early age, Mr. Leak devoted himself to the family business, answering telephones, assisting families, serving as a funeral attendant, and ultimately dedicating more than four decades of service to the funeral profession, embodying the values of hard work, humility, and excellence; and
WHEREAS, after earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Mortuary Science and Funeral Service from Southern Illinois University and becoming a licensed funeral director in 1989, Mr. Leak rose to the position of Vice President of Leak & Sons Funeral Homes in 1993 at age 23 and became a respected leader in one of the longest running funeral homes in Chicago; and
WHEREAS, throughout his distinguished career, Mr. Leak comforted and counseled many grieving families during their most difficult moments, earning a reputation for empathy, professionalism, and an extraordinary capacity to serve others with grace and compassion, most recently helping guide the homegoing services of the Reverend Jesse L. Jackson, Sr.; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Leak was also known for his generosity of spirit and commitment to community service, including his involvement with 100 Black Men of Chicago, through which he mentored young African American men, and for his support of neighborhood businesses and civic initiatives throughout Chicago; and
WHEREAS, while Mr. Leak’s passing leaves a void in the lives of those who knew and loved him, his legacy will endure through the countless families he served, the communities he strengthened, and the example of compassion, dignity, and leadership he provided throughout his 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 our staff, do hereby honor and commemorate the life, accomplishments, and enduring legacy of Spencer Leak, Jr., and express our profound gratitude for his decades of dedicated service to the community; 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 Spencer Leak, Jr.
Dated: June 18, 2026