Honorary Resolution for Richard Harris
Whereas, Richard "Dickie" Harris, late husband of Patty O'Neill Harris and father of Samuel Huston, William Wyatt, Olivia and Aaron Barkoff and grandchildren, Noah, Annie and Leila, passed away on September 3, 2013, leaving his family, friends and the Lincoln Park community with the absence of a compassionate friend and genuine community leader; and
Whereas, Richard served his Lincoln Park community with 'out of the box' thinking, personal inspiration and great leadership. His indomitable spirit was woven into the fabric of many original community events, such as the Winter Dickens Fest, featuring Charles Dickens's great-great granddaughter, Lucinda Dickens Hawksley; the Greater Chicago Tuba Band; horse drawn carriage rides and a host of other celebratory events; and
Whereas, in Lincoln Park, Richard served on a myriad of committees including the Preservation of Orange Rated Buildings; Preservation of Willow Halsted Gateway Intersection; Upgrading of Lincoln Central Park; Lincoln Central Association Zoning Committee; and supported affordable housing in Lincoln Park, as well as many other community initiatives; and
Whereas, Richard Harris was a force in the theater community and his brilliance as a playwright made its way onto the stages of Lincoln Park's Victory Gardens Theater, the Organic Theater, the former St. Nicholas Theater and onward to the Goodman Theater; and
Whereas, Richard Harris was a formidable creative power in advertising in Chicago, serving as Creative Director at FCB, Group Creative Director at Ogilvy, Creative Director at BBD and Creative Director at the Leo Burnett Company, where he authored one of Revlon's most captivating headlines for its new line of bath beads, "The Balming of Pearl Farber"; and
Whereas, it may be the Juris Doctorate he earned from the Illinois Institute of Technology that provided for his phenomenal ability to present 'the winning story.' Richard was well known and respected for his persuasive abilities in all his walks of life, earning him the endearing neighborhood nickname of'Every Man;' and
Whereas, almost two years after his passing, the Honorable Michele Smith, the Alderman of the 43rd Ward wishes to apprise this august body of Richard "Dickie" Harris' lifetime dedication to his community; now, therefore
Be it resolved that we, the Mayor and members of the City Council gathered together this 29th Day of July. 2015 AD, do hereby express our sincere sorrow at the passing of Richard "Dickie" Harris, but know the many persons whose lives he touched will continue to celebrate his life and spirit.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED That a suitable copy of this resolution be prepared and presented to the family of Richard "Dickie" Harris.
MICHELE SMITH
Alderman - 43rd Ward