Assembly Resolution No. 33

BY: M. of A. Buttenschon

CELEBRATING the life of Marron W. McLeod,
distinguished citizen and devoted member of his
community

WHEREAS, It is with feelings of deepest regret that this Legislative
Body records the passing of Marron W. McLeod, an extraordinary gentleman
of indomitable faith and dedication whose purposeful life will long
serve as a standard to which others might aspire; and

WHEREAS, Marron W. "Butch" McLeod, as he was affectionately known,
died on Friday, January 1, 2021, at the age of 78; he was the beloved
son of the late Baum Jr. and Flossie (Gregg) McLeod, as well as the
grand-nephew of Mary McLeod Bethune, founder of Bethune Cookman
University in Daytona, Florida; and

WHEREAS, A brave United States Army veteran, Marron W. McLeod
actively served during the Vietnam War era and proudly continued his
commitment as a Reservist; and

WHEREAS, Furthermore, Marron W. McLeod was a Meter Reader Specialist
with the Niagara Mohawk Power Corporation in the Utica, New York area;
and

WHEREAS, This gentle giant with a huge heart of gold, was a voice of
reason and had a sense of humor like no other; Marron W. McLeod was a
faith-loving, God-fearing prayer warrior as a member of the Hope Chapel
A.M.E. Zion Church; and

WHEREAS, From an early age, his dad taught him to garden in the
backyard, and as his tending of the soil and planting of the crops
progressed, he established the Eagle and Miller Streets Community
Garden, which was a bountiful and respected community project; and

WHEREAS, These lovely gardens that were created gained national
notoriety when the Obama Administration awarded Marron W. McLeod the
recognition as the Best Community Leader in the Utica area; and

WHEREAS, This distinguished man was affiliated with a myriad of
civic, charitable, and patriotic endeavors and memberships; his
benevolence and vision transformed not only the landscape, but the lives
of the people in the Utica neighborhood; and

WHEREAS, Marron W. McLeod's commitment to excellence, and his spirit
of humanity, carried over into all fields of enterprise, including
charitable and civic endeavors; and

WHEREAS, Predeceased by his parents, Baum Jr. and Flossie, his
brother and best friend, Harold, his sister, Karen, and his niece,
Jessica, Marron W. McLeod is survived by his cherished daughter, Shannon
(Derrick); grandchildren, Ashley and Anthony; his life partner, Carol;
siblings, Mary (John) and Judge James A.W. McLeod; and his beloved
sister-in-law, Pearlene; he will also be remembered by a host of nieces,
nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, and cousins; and


WHEREAS, Armed with a humanistic spirit and imbued with a sense of
compassion, Marron W. McLeod leaves behind a legacy which will long
endure the passage of time and will remain as a comforting memory to all
he served and befriended; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
celebrate the life of Marron W. McLeod, distinguished citizen and
devoted member of his community; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the family of Marron W. McLeod.