RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, The Members of this Chamber were deeply saddened to learn of the untimely death of Paul Webster on June 9, 2016 at the age of 63; and
WHEREAS, Born in Chicago on June 19, 1953, Mr. Webster grew up in the Robert Taylor Homes, and graduated from Wendell Phillips High School; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Webster began his distinguished career in public service with the City of Chicago on June 16, 1987 as a Bridge and Structural Iron Worker in the Department of Transportation. Through hard work and demonstrated ability, Mr. Webster was appointed an Iron Inspector with the Department of Buildings on November 1, 2007; and
WHEREAS, During his career, Mr. Webster performed thousands of inspections of fire escapes, tie-ins for cranes, water towers and construction involving structural steel, helping to protect the public safety of the residents and visitors of the City of Chicago; and
WHEREAS, In addition to his service with the City of Chicago, Mr. Webster was a well-respected and widely admired coach for the Chicago Blitz youth football team and the Marquette Wizards small fry basketball team; and
WHEREAS, Known by many in his neighborhood as "Coach Paul," Mr. Webster encouraged youth in his neighborhood to strive to do better and to work hard. He was known to mentor the youth of his neighborhood and to be a friend to all; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Webster was deeply devoted to his wife Janyce, who was taken from him by cancer in February of 2016; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Webster was also deeply devoted to his son Evan, with whom he shared a bond as father and coach. Both father and son shared a love of athletic competition, and Mr. Webster coached Evan in basketball, football and baseball; and
WHEREAS, as a testament to the love, devotion, and mentoring that Mr. and Mrs. Webster showed their son Evan, he recently graduated from Brother Rice High School and will be attending Missouri Baptist University in St. Louis this fall on a full ride football scholarship; and
WHEREAS, An active and vital member of his community, Mr. Webster touched the lives of all who knew him with his great sense of humor, kindness, generosity, and spirit. He will be deeply missed, but the memory of his character, intelligence, and compassion will live on in those who knew and loved him; and
WHEREAS, The legacy of Mr. Webster's dedication, devotion, and hard work serves as an example to us all, and has earned him the respect of all who knew him; and
BE IT RESOLVED, That we, the Mayor and Members of the City Council of the City of Chicago, assembled this twenty-second day of June, 2016, do hereby mourn the passing of Paul Webster, and do hereby extend our most sincere condolences to his family and friends; and