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Richard V. Leazott, director of Boston University Mail Services, died on August 23 after suffering a heart attack while driving. He was 48.

	Richard Leazott Photo by Fred Sway

Leazott, a Boston native, lived in Milton for 20 years. He received his bachelor's degree in history and his master's in labor relations from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. He was also a graduate of Harvard University's Trade Union Program.

Leazott worked for Service Employees International Union Local 254 for five years. He worked at BU for the past 16 years, predominantly as Mail Services director.

"Over the past 10 years, Rich built Mail Services into a model for mail processing in higher education," says Marvin Cook, vice president of planning, budgeting, and information at Boston University. "We now have visitors from across the nation coming to see our campus and bulk mail facilities, which process 12 million pieces of mail annually.

"All of the technological improvements and innovations that Rich introduced in our mail rooms were done to improve the service delivery capabilities of the department," adds Cook. "He always strived for the highest level of customer satisfaction. If an employee or department had a problem with mail, he wanted to know about it and correct the problem. He was exceptionally proud of his staff and the work that they do. He touched the lives of many of us, and he will be missed by his colleagues and friends."

Leazott leaves his wife, a daughter, two sons, his mother, a sister, a brother, and several nieces and nephews. A funeral mass was said on Monday, August 27, at St. Mary of the Hills Church in Milton. Contributions in Leazott's memory may be sent to the Jimmy Fund, 44 Binney St., Boston 02115, or to the Milton Visiting Nurse Association, c/o Partners Homecare, 200 Ledgewood Place, Rockland, MA 02370, attn: Olga.

The University closed Mail Services on August 27 in honor of Leazott.

31 August 2001
Boston University
Office of University Relations