RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, Michael Masser has been called to eternal life by the wisdom of God at the age of 74; and
WHEREAS, The Chicago City Council has been informed of his passing by Alderman Edward M. Burke; and
WHEREAS, Born and raised in Chicago, Michael Masser was a legendary composer and the loving husband of Ogniana; and
WHEREAS, Michael Masser graduated from Sullivan High School in 1958 where he was voted "most talented" by his classmates and attended the University of Illinois Law School; and
WHEREAS, Michael Masser left a highly successful career as a stock broker and at the age of 30 gambled everything on his true passion — songwriting; and
WHEREAS, Without any formal musical training, Michael Masser moved to Los Angeles where he met songwriter Johnny Mercer who introduced him to influential people in the music business; and
WHEREAS, Michael Masser went on to co-write an astounding array of memorable and hypnotic mega-hits, including Touch Me in the Morning, Theme from Mahogany, The Greatest Love of All, Didn't We Almost Have it All, Tonight, I Celebrate My Love, Stay With Me and Miss You Like Crazy; and
WHEREAS, Michael Masser's works were performed by famous artists such as Diana Ross, Roberta Flack, Whitney Houston and Rod Stewart; and
WHEREAS, Michael Masser once said he attempted to create "show-stoppers, not disposable pop songs" that would stand the test of time; and
WHEREAS, Michael Masser was inducted in 2007 into the Songwriters Hall of Fame; and
WHEREAS, The talent and dedication of Michael Masser serve as an example to all; and
WHEREAS, His love of life and ability to live it to the fullest endeared Michael Masser to his family members, friends and all who knew him, and enabled him to enrich their lives in ways they will never forget; and
WHEREAS, Michael Masser was an individual of great integrity and accomplishment who will be dearly missed and fondly remembered by his many relatives, friends and admirers; and
WHEREAS, To his wife, Ogniana, his son, Sean, his two daughters, Jennifer and Aleksandra, his sister, Rhoda, and his two grandchildren, Michael Masser imparts a legacy of faithfulness, service and dignity; now, therefore
BE IT RESOLVED, That we, the Mayor and the members of the Chicago City Council, assembled this twenty-ninth day of July, 2015, do hereby commemorate Michael Masser for his grace-filled life and do hereby express our condolences to his family; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED,/That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Michael Masser. /
Alderman - 14th Ward