Spencer Leak Jr., who helped countless Chicago families lay their loved ones to rest, was himself honored Saturday by hundreds of mourners who lined up to pay respects at the late, esteemed funeral director’s celebration of life.
Friends, family, local leaders and community members gathered at the House of Hope in Pullman to say their final farewells to Leak Jr., vice president of Leak and Sons Funeral Homes, and a pillar of the South Side’s Black community.
Leak Jr., who died unexpectedly last month at age 56, spent more than 45 years working for and eventually helping lead the family funeral business, which has handled services for such notable Chicagoans as soul singer Sam Cooke, comedian Bernie Mac, rapper Juice WRLD and drug kingpin William Morris “Flukey” Stokes. Earlier this year, they hosted the Rev. Jesse Jackson’s funeral.
“It is Spencer Leak Jr. who is responsible for the reconstruction of those who’ve been lost, so that they can have dignity at their funerals, whether they’re rich or whether they’re poor,” former U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. told the Sun-Times.
Jackson called Leak Jr.’s death a “tremendous loss” for the community, saying he played a vital role in providing comfort to countless families, including his, during their most difficult moments.
“Know that he is in a great place,” Jackson said on the same podium from which he spoke during his father’s services, coordinated by Leak Jr., in March. “There are no words that we can muster at this hour of bereavement to overcome the grief that you must be feeling, but know and understand that the response of this community should serve as sufficient evidence that this loss is not being experienced by you and your family alone.”
Leak Jr.’s casket stood at the center of the sanctuary, surrounded by white roses and ribbons in the funeral home’s signature black and gold colors. The lengthy service featured a choir and reflections from several Chicago faith leaders, including the Rev. James Meeks and Rev. Charlie Dates.
While mourners shed tears throughout the service, many also shared laughter as they reflected on stories and celebrated Leak’s life and legacy.
Members of the Leak family, including Leak Jr.’s wife, Donna, and their two children, stood at the front wearing black as they greeted mourners, shook hands and accepted condolences.
In an emotional speech, Emma Leak — Leak Jr.’s daughter — said there “weren’t enough words to encompass what he means to me.”
She described her father as “beautiful” and said she would always treasure their memories. “My daddy is everything, and I do mean everything, that I could have hoped for,” she said.
Also in attendance were Gov. JB Pritzker, Mayor Brandon Johnson, Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle and U.S. Rep. Jonathan Jackson.
Calling the Leak family “part of Chicago’s legacy,” Johnson told the Sun-Times that Leak Jr. was “an incredibly compassionate, easygoing human being who prioritized every single person that he came in contact with.”
“He really imbibed the true spirit of Chicago, which is how we comfort and we put our arms around one another, especially during difficult times,” Johnson added.
In a video tribute, Pritzker described Leak as a “kind and generous man” and a “pillar” of civic life. “He made life better for people he didn’t even know,” the governor said.
Elder Tyrone Willis, who has worked as a painter at the Leak funeral homes for over 25 years, said Leak Jr. was a man of “good rapport” who impacted many lives.
“He didn’t turn away anyone,” said Willis, 75. “His legacy will always be remembered by what he has done in the community and the love he brought to this city.”
Willis, who has worked at all three of the Leak funeral homes, said it was important for him to pay his respects to a family that has always made him feel welcome.
Sharon Rowe said the Leak family helped direct many of her relative’s funerals, but it was Leak Jr. who “made you feel like you were family.”
“He handled the services of people’s loved ones with such care,” said Rowe, 55, of Beverly. “He had such a kind, empathetic touch.”
The Leak family has been in the funeral business since 1933, when the Rev. Andrew Leak, Leak Jr.’s grandfather, started the funeral home with what he saved from working as a bathroom attendant at the Chicago World’s Fair and a loan from his wife. He said he wanted Black Chicagoans to be able to bury their loved ones respectfully.
The couple ran the business with their three sons, including the youngest, Spencer Leak Sr. After Andrew Leak died in 1993, Leak Sr., now 88, took over as president and owner and renamed the business Leak and Sons; Leak Jr. began working there at a young age.
Leak Jr. ‘s son, Spencer “Tre” Leak III, had started working for the family’s business just days before his father died.
Leak Jr. earned a Bachelor of Science degree in mortuary science and funeral service at Southern Illinois University in Carbondale. He became a licensed funeral director in 1989 at age 20.
He ascended to vice president of Leak and Sons in 1993, before his 24th birthday.