URGENT CALL FOR HELP RET.ENGINEER LES OUTERBRIDGE

  AFRICAN AMERICAN FIREFIGHTERS AND PARAMEDICS LEAGUE OF CHICAGO- URGENT CALL FOR HELP

TODAY, LESLIE OUTERBRIDGE AND HIS FAMILY NEED YOUR HELP AND SUPPORT.  LES WAS ORIGINALLY DIAGNOSED WITH LUNG CANCER FOLLOWED RECENTLY WITH BRAIN CANCER. HIS WIFE, ANNE "PEARL", SUFFERS FROM DEMENTIA WITH MOUNTING MEDICAL BILLS AND THEIR NEED TO ALTER LIVING CONDITIONS TO FIT THEIR NEEDS, WE NEED YOUR HELP. OUR GOAL IS TO RAISE $25,000 WITH ALL PROCEEDS DONATED TO LESLIE OUTERBRIDGE FAMILY FUND. PLEASE HELP DONATING TODAY. 


MALIK BILA-
PRESIDENT AFRICAN AMERICAN FIREFIGHTERS & PARAMEDIC LEAGUE OF CHICAGO

Les retired from the Chicago Fire Department as an Engineer in 1995. For fifteen years he modeled and appeared in various television commercials, taking advantage of his height and athletic build.  As part of his Bachelor degree completion Les took a course entitled Black and White, Color and Advanced Photography. He won several prizes for his photograph called, “Feeding Time, “which was taken from the window of Engine # 81’s quarters.   In 2001 Les self-published the personal narrative entitled “White Smoke.” This detailed saga explains his entire journey within the Chicago Fire Department. Even though the city of Chicago had been placing “Negro” Firefighters on the payroll in the 1870’s, 100 years later they were largely remanded to segregated Firehouses. The book describes his difficulties as he navigated the intricacies of both de jure and de facto racism: “Having no civilized exchange with white firefighters, they were forced to work next to men who hated them: while depending upon those same adversaries for their safety.” (White Smoke, 2001).

Tensions grew in Chicago as desegregation became the law of the land. In August of 1965, a woman named Dessie Williams was killed due to the absence of the tiller (man in charge of controlling the ladder), leaving the Firehouse on the corner of Pulaski and Wilcox Street. She was killed as this truck raced to a scene. By all accounts the neighborhood was incensed and demanded that the Firefighters be African-American men not white ones. Les was one of them that took him over in the hopes that tensions would subside as residents expressed their rejection of assumed subjugation across the urban neighborhoods.

Because Les was a man full of dignity and bravery, he made an internal decision that this incident should not exist as an isolated event. These sentiments led him to be one of the original founders of the International Association of Black Professional Firefighters in 1969. 

 

Les has successfully transitioned to be with the ancestors. He has honored those that were enslaved by modern day activism. The family would like to thank: _____________

My Dad is my best friend loyal, humble and strong willed in his beliefs (ordained by God).  I felt his love my entire life, even more at the end of his life.  He raised me "Military" from popping my bed sheets to making sure all chrome shined like glass.  His demeanor showed his struggle in the Air Force, the racism and backlash from his superiors. Daddy taught me how to think like a man and sent me to modeling school to secure me being a lady. He never allowed room for excuses if you were a part of it, you took responsibility for all of it.

He had a long battle with lung cancer. The cancer transitioned into brain cancer which was ultimately spreading thru his body.  On Sept. 18th, 2020, my dad passed peacefully in his sleep. He leaves his wife Annie of 65 years who has stage 4 kidney failure who is also on hospice. Three grandchildren, Leslie Raymone, Diamond, and Neal Alexander. Seven great grandchildren, Charlisa, Jace, Zaire, Zaria, Prince, Jaydla, and Neal Alexander. Funeral arrangements will be private due to the Pandemic however, there will be a Memorial in December (details will follow at a later time)

I want to thank each and every one of you for your selfless contributions, my family greatly appreciates your kindness. Daddy's Go Fund Me will stay up a little longer for those who would like to contribute.

My prayer is that Black Fire Fighters remember my Dad's sacrifice for equality for all of us, that you will continue the "Good Fight" and never forget him.  I lost my daddy, my best friend.... God Bless You All