SR0245 96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0245 LRB096 12536 KXB 25715 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Stephen J. Andras of Aurora, who passed away on April 12, 2009; and

WHEREAS, He was born on September 12, 1923, in Temple, Pennsylvania, the son of Michael and Anna (Kielar) Andras; and

WHEREAS, He served with the first division of the United States Marine Corps during World War II in the Pacific Islands and was discharged on January 18, 1946 after being wounded in the line of duty; he received a Purple Heart for his dedicated service; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Andras was a dedicated publisher who retired as president from the Strathmore Printing Company in 1985 after 35 years of service; he then owned and ran Cogan Productions, a supplier of Catholic catechisms to ministries worldwide until his death; Mr. Andras was an active member of Holy Angels Church; he had a strong faith which was evident throughout his life; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Andras was committed to serving the community; he was a member of the Kiwanis Club, Serra Club, Toastmaster's, and the Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley; he also served on the board for Rush Copley Hospital and was the campaign manager for former Aurora mayor, Al McCoy; Mr. Andras was dedicated to increasing awareness of the blind, a generous donor to many organizations, and was active in his philanthropic work; and

WHEREAS, He was preceded in death by his parents, Michael and Anna; his wife, Betty; his daughter, Susan; his brother, John; and his sister, Anna; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Andras is survived by his daughters, Carol Andras and Francine (Alan) Eggleston; his son, Stephen (Debbie) Andras; and his grandchildren, Traci, Carrie, and Kyle Eggleston, and Adam and Madeline Andras; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn, along with his family and friends, the passing of Stephen J. Andras; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Stephen J. Andras as a symbol of our sincere sympathy.