The Leslie L. Squires Foundation

 Click Here for Leslie L. Squires Foundation Grant Application

The Leslie L. Squires Foundation was established by Jacqueline M. Squires to benefit Bay County, Michigan persons who are impaired physically or mentally.  

Under the terms of Jacqueline M. Squires’ Trust, the bulk of the Squires’ estate has been set aside in the Leslie L. Squires Foundation.  

The purpose of the Foundation is to devote and apply the income exclusively for charitable, literary, or educational purposes. One such purpose in which the Squires had particular interest and directed the Foundation to fund, was the improvement of the “the social condition of persons impaired physically or mentally by the development of plans for their education, instruction, entertainment, recreation and special training in preparation for self support and the full development of useful, happy lives.”  

The Foundation, a 501(c)(3) supporting foundation will carry out its charitable purposes by working exclusively through the Disability Resource Center and the Bay Area Community Foundation. The first grants from the Foundation were awarded in 1988.  

Leslie (Les) Squires, a Bay City native, died on February 9, 1983. Les attended Bay City schools and went on to Wayne State University where he earned a degree in mortuary science. Les worked at Dow Chemical prior to establishing the Squires Funeral Home in Bay City in 1954. Later he also acquired the Ambrose Funeral Home on Lafayette Street. A veteran of the Korean conflict, Les served in the grave registration unit of the U.S. Army. 

Les married Jacqueline (Jackie) MacDonald, also a Bay City native, in May of 1956. Jackie survived Les by two years. She died March 16, 1985 after an extended illness.  

Many civic and charitable organizations enjoyed the support of the Mr. and Mrs. Squires. Both had an abiding concern for people handicapped in any way. Les was especially active with the Bay County Society for Crippled Children and Adults (Disability Service Center) serving as president for many years.  

Jackie helped to start an historic renovation project for the west side of Bay City and took and avid interest in national causes such as the National Wildlife Federation, the Jacques Cousteau Society, National Trust for Historic Preservation, Nature Conservancy and many others.  

John R. Nicholson, Walter R. Wittkopp, Alice Rentjos, Peggy Rowley and Ronald G Schneider served on the first Board of Trustees of the Foundation.