SR1794 100TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR1794 LRB100 22219 ALS 40823 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Thomas F. "Tom" Leahy, who passed away on May 21, 2018; and

WHEREAS, Tom Leahy was born to Virginia and James Leahy Sr. on June 26, 1944 and grew up in Chicago's far north suburbs; always creative and entrepreneurial, he and his older brother would lay awake in their bunk beds hatching future plans about the family business; he graduated from New Trier High School in Winnetka and, like his parents, graduated from Northwestern University; he was a proud member of the Delta Tau Delta Fraternity; and

WHEREAS, On his 21st birthday, Tom Leahy was elected an officer of American Hotel Register Company, the family business and the world's premier hospitality supplier; he worked hard to grow its sales and, early in his career, helped negotiate the company's purchase of five competitors; he also guided the company's move to Northbrook and, in 1998, to its current headquarters in Vernon Hills; along with his brothers, he was instrumental in transforming American Hotel from a local printing operation into an international distribution company; he and his brothers served as third generation owners of the business, and he was Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors; and

WHEREAS, Tom Leahy was committed to public service; as a child, he served as an altar boy, became an Eagle Scout, and helped his father with the family business years before formally joining the company; during his career, he served as Chairman of the Board of Advocate Condell Medical Center; he was a past president and former board member of the Transportation Management Association (TMA) and past board director of the Lake County YMCA; he was elected Man of the Year by the Green Oaks/Libertyville/Mundelein/Vernon Hills Chamber of Commerce on January 8, 2008; he was invited to act as grand marshal for the Vernon Hills Fourth of July parade in 2015; and

WHEREAS, A natural storyteller and the family historian, Tom Leahy's passion for the family business was never more evident than when relating detailed stories about the company's years of success; he loved to travel; he circumnavigated the globe three times and learned to fly an airplane at the age of 18; he was always ready with a smile, a quick wit, or a warn hug; he loved to laugh and was generous and decisive; he embraced change and made a meaningful difference in the lives of his family, friends, employees, church community, and the community at large; and

WHEREAS, Tom Leahy was preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Kathy; and his brother, Patrick; and

WHEREAS, Tom Leahy is survived by his wife, Cathy; his children, Chris (Scott) Runkle, Dirk (Julie) Leahy, Barton (Cheryl) Leahy, Eric (Freedom) Leahy, Chanel Doree, and Ross Doree; his grandchildren, Paige, Brooke, Kyle, Brandon, Juliet, Bryson, Charlotte, Juniper, and Love; and his brother, Jim (Linda) Leahy; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDREDTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Thomas F. "Tom" Leahy and extend our sincere condolences to his family, friends, and all who knew and loved him; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Tom Leahy as an expression of our deepest sympathy.