Leslie N. Shaw Dies; First Black Postmaster of a Major U.S. City
Funeral
services for former Los Angeles Postmaster Leslie N. Shaw, chairman of
the Private Industry Council of the City of Los Angeles, will be
conducted at 9 a.m. Monday at St. John's Episcopal Cathedral in Los
Angeles.
The 62-year-old savings and loan executive was the first black to be appointed postmaster of a major U.S. city. He died Wednesday at his home after a long illness. For the last 10 years, he was a vice president of Great Western Financial Corp.
Shaw was named Los Angeles postmaster in 1963 and held that post until 1969, when he became president of First City Savings. Mayor Tom Bradley selected Shaw to be president of the Private Industry Council in 1981.
In that position, Shaw joined with fellow industry council members and city officials in directing a $35-million job-training program for about 16,000 lower-income participants in more than 60 programs.
He also served on the board of several organizations, including the Rotary Club, the Braille Institute, Los Angeles and National Urban League, public television station KCET and Lockheed Corp.
Shaw was born in Columbus, Ohio, and attended Ohio State University, graduating in 1949 with a business degree. He went on to graduate studies at UCLA. During World War II, he fought in Italy and was decorated with a Bronze Star.
He leaves his wife, Ann M., and their four children, Dan, Valerie Lynne, Leslie Jr. and Rebecca; two brothers, John and Andre, and a sister, Mrs. Preston Carmichael of Columbus. The family has suggested contributions to the Golden State Minority Foundation of Los Angeles, in lieu of flowers.
The 62-year-old savings and loan executive was the first black to be appointed postmaster of a major U.S. city. He died Wednesday at his home after a long illness. For the last 10 years, he was a vice president of Great Western Financial Corp.
Shaw was named Los Angeles postmaster in 1963 and held that post until 1969, when he became president of First City Savings. Mayor Tom Bradley selected Shaw to be president of the Private Industry Council in 1981.
In that position, Shaw joined with fellow industry council members and city officials in directing a $35-million job-training program for about 16,000 lower-income participants in more than 60 programs.
He also served on the board of several organizations, including the Rotary Club, the Braille Institute, Los Angeles and National Urban League, public television station KCET and Lockheed Corp.
Shaw was born in Columbus, Ohio, and attended Ohio State University, graduating in 1949 with a business degree. He went on to graduate studies at UCLA. During World War II, he fought in Italy and was decorated with a Bronze Star.
He leaves his wife, Ann M., and their four children, Dan, Valerie Lynne, Leslie Jr. and Rebecca; two brothers, John and Andre, and a sister, Mrs. Preston Carmichael of Columbus. The family has suggested contributions to the Golden State Minority Foundation of Los Angeles, in lieu of flowers.
