Leo S. McDonald Jr.

Leo S. McDonald, Jr., a nationally recognized leader and innovator in the Chicago convention world, died peacefully on Feb. 1, 2012 at the age of 90 years. He served in the Navy during World War II and was stationed in the Pacific and Glenview Naval Air Base. An avid supporter of the arts, he graduated from the Art Institute of Chicago and remained a member and supporter throughout his life. He started his own business, Award Exhibits, in Chicago in 1956 and became a group vice president at Greyhound in charge of exposition services and exhibits until he retired and began spending winters on Captiva Island. "Leo was an imaginative and creative fellow; a leader who we all admired; a great boss and colleague as well. He demanded excellence and in that regard was tough at times as he had to be. All in all he was a powerhouse and in that respect, I often referred to him as the 'Daddy Warbucks' of the Exhibit Industry," shared friend and colleague, Bill Dixon. He was a deeply loving and caring husband, father and grandfather. "I'll always remember his wonderful sense of humor and gigantic laugh; like his dad, he was a noted raconteur," recalls his daughter. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Ann Eve; his children Carol and Jay, Lianne and Greg, John and Kathy, and Kathleen and Stuart; his grandchildren Jessica and Bill, Kerianne, Patrick, Katie and Yuvall, James, William, Samantha, Liam, Charlie, Jack and Henry; and great grandchild, Josie. He has supported children's charities throughout his life and a memorial fund has been established at one of his favorites, SmileTrain. Donations may be made online at http://support.smiletrain.org/site/TR?pxfid=10720&pg=fund&fr_id=1030. Family and friends may sign the guest register by visiting www.horizonfunerals.com.