THOMAS F. LEAHY

Thomas F. Leahy, Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors for American Hotel Register Company, passed away Monday, May 21, at his home in Mettawa, Illinois, at the age of 73. Tom is preceded in death by his father, James Leahy Sr., his mother, Virginia, his sister, Kathy, and brother, Patrick. Devoted and adoring husband to Cathy, Tom was a loving father to Chris (Scott) Runkle, Dirk (Julie) Leahy, Barton (Cheryl) Leahy, Eric (Freedom) Leahy, Chanel Doree and Ross Doree. Tom took great pride as grandfather to Paige, Brooke, Kyle, Brandon, Juliet, Bryson, Charlotte, Juniper, and Love. He is survived by loyal brother Jim (Linda) Leahy. At 6'6", Tom Leahy was both powerful and colorful. With a larger than life personality and warm heart, he was a man of many interests. His role in the family business, however, shaped the core of his character. Tom, his brother Jim, and late brother Patrick served as third generation owners of American Hotel, the world's premier hospitality supplier. Along with his brothers, Tom was instrumental in transforming American Hotel from a local printing operation into an international distribution company. Tom was always creative and entrepreneurial. At age 7, he and older brother Jim would lay awake in their bunk beds hatching future plans about the family business. Growing up in Chicago's far north suburbs, Tom graduated from New Trier High School in Winnetka. Like his father and mother, he is an alumnus of Northwestern University and a proud member of Delta Tau Delta Fraternity. On his 21st birthday, Tom was elected an officer of American Hotel. He worked hard to grow its sales and, early in his career, helped negotiate the company's purchase of five competitors. Tom also guided the company's move to Northbrook and, in 1998, to its current headquarters in Vernon Hills. A natural storyteller and the family historian, Tom's passion for the family business was never more evident than when relating detailed stories about the company's more than 150 years of success. In his booming, energetic voice - and always with a smile on his face - Tom reveled in recalling historical business milestones, land acquisitions, pivotal employees, and more. When speaking of his wife, grandfather, father, mother, brother, children or grandchildren, it was always in reverence, gratitude, and appreciation of their individual qualities and contributions. Tom loved to travel. In fact, he circumnavigated the globe three times and learned to fly an airplane at the age of 18. He was also committed to public service. As a child, he was an altar boy, became an Eagle Scout at a very young age, and helped his father with the family business years before formally joining American Hotel. During his American Hotel 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. Tom was elected Man of the Year by the Green Oaks/Libertyville/ Mundelein/Vernon Hills Chamber of Commerce on January 8, 2008. So well known throughout the Chicago community, and especially in the Lake County, Tom was invited to act as grand marshal for the 2015 Vernon Hills 4th of July parade. Tom was an easily identifiable figure at the events he supported or spearheaded. Whether it was the annual lacrosse tournament held on the fields of the American Hotel campus or one of many fundraising efforts he helped organize, Tom would always be the one with a ready smile, a quick wit, or a warm hug. While he loved to laugh, Tom was generous, decisive, visionary. He was a dynamic man of action who embraced change and made a meaningful difference in the lives of his family and friends, his employees, his church community, and the community at large. Tom Leahy left a mighty impact, and he will be missed by all who knew him. Visitation, Thursday, May 24, 2018, 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at American Hotel Register Company, 100 South Milwaukee Avenue, Vernon Hills, IL 60061. Funeral Services and Interment Private, Calvary Cemetery. Evanston, IL. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Virginia K. Leahy Charitable Foundation, 100 South Milwaukee Avenue, Vernon Hills, IL 60061, would be appreciated. Info, www.donnellanfuneral.com or 847-675-1990.