RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, Thomas R. Leach has gone to his eternal reward at the age of 76; and
WHEREAS, The Chicago City Council has been informed of his passing by Alderman Edward M. Burke; and
WHEREAS, Thomas R. Leach was a longtime Chicago elections official and the loving husband of Lynn; and
WHEREAS, Thomas R. Leach was the much-adored father of Thomas, Jr., Jonathan, Susan, Amy and Justin and the grandfather of thirteen; and
WHEREAS, Thomas R. Leach was the dear brother of Jim, Ron> Jack and Robert; and
WHEREAS, Affable, warm and precise, Thomas R. Leach served for 34 years as the media spokesperson for the Chicago Board of Election Commissioners; and
WHEREAS, A native of Chicago, Thomas R. Leach was raised near Wrigley Field on the North Side and served in the United States Air Force and Army Reserves; and
WHEREAS, Thomas R. Leach began his career as a crime reporter for Chicago's American Newspaper which eventually assigned him to Washington, D.C., where he covered President Lyndon B. Johnson; and
WHEREAS, Thomas R. Leach went on to enter the field of public relations and served as a media advisor for Cook County Sheriff Richard J. Elrod; and
WHEREAS, In 1973 Thomas R. Leach joined the Chicago Board of Election Commissioners where he forged close and lasting personal relationships with reporters with whom he provided information concerning voter turnout forecasts, election results and other matters; and
WHEREAS, Throughout his long and highly distinguished tenure, Thomas R. Leach became the face of the agency and demonstrated a rare ability to put reporters at ease and gain their trust; and
WHEREAS, The hard work, sacrifice and dedication of Thomas R. Leach serve as an example to all; and
WHEREAS, His love of life and ability to live it to the fullest endeared Thomas R. Leach 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, Thomas R. Leach will be dearly missed and fondly remembered by his many relatives, friends and admirers; and
WHEREAS, To his beloved family, Thomas R. Leach 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 tenth day of December, 2014, do hereby commemorate Thomas R. Leach 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 Thomas R. Leach.