RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, Donald S. Perkins has been called to eternal life by the wisdom of God at the age of 88; and
WHEREAS, The Chicago City Council has been informed of his passing by Alderman Edward M. Burke; and
WHEREAS, A resident of Northfield, Donald S. Perkins was a widely admired member of the business community and the loving husband of Jane and the late Phyllis; and
WHEREAS, Donald S. Perkins was the much-adored father of Betsy and Susan, the stepfather of Frank and Elizabeth, the grandfather of seven and the great-grandfather of one to whom he imparted many of the fine and noble qualities that he possessed in abundance; and
WHEREAS, Donald S. Perkins was the dear brother of Bob and Joan; and
WHEREAS, A native of St. Louis, Donald S. Perkins graduated from Yale University and earned a master's degree from Harvard Business School; and
WHEREAS, Donald S. Perkins joined the Jewel grocery store chain company in 1953 and rose to become its President and Chief Operating Officer in 1964; and
WHEREAS, Donald S. Perkins was named Chairman and Chief Operating Officer of Jewel in 1970; and
WHEREAS, Donald S. Perkins broadened Jewel into a diversified retailer and meritored several prominent business leaders who went on to head major companies; and
WHEREAS, Under the leadership of Donald S. Perkins, Jewel made a number of high-profile corporate acquisitions, including Osco Drug; and
WHEREAS, Donald S. Perkins pioneered the dual grocery store-drugstore format known as Jewel-Osco stores; and
WHEREAS, Donald S. Perkins retired from Jewel at the age of 53 and formed the Commercial Club's Civic Committee which promoted job initiatives in Chicago; and
WHEREAS, Donald S. Perkins continued to share his vast business expertise through his highly distinguished service on more than a dozen corporate boards; and
WHEREAS, The hard work, sacrifice and dedication of Donald S. Perkins serve as an example to all; and
WHEREAS, Donald S. Perkins 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 beloved family, Donald S. Perkins 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 fifteenth day of April, 2015, do hereby commemorate Donald S. Perkins 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 Donald S. Perkins.