SR0531 96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0531 LRB096 16046 KXB 31294 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Joseph "Joe" Sisolak of Waukegan, who passed away on November 4, 2009; and

WHEREAS, Joseph Edward Sisolak, Jr., was born January 30, 1917, in North Chicago, to Joseph and Magdalena Polak Sisolak; he was a lifelong Waukegan area resident, where he lived with his wife Marie of 69 years; and

WHEREAS, He was a member of St. Anastasia Catholic Church In Waukegan and the Professional Golfers Association of America, Illinois Section, for 54 years; and

WHEREAS, He learned to play golf in the early 1930s while a caddy at Glen Flora Country Club, where he became caddy master and assistant pro; in 2003 he was elected to the PGA, Illinois Section, Golf Hall of Fame to recognize both his accomplishments as a player and the untold thousands of hours he volunteered teaching golf to youngsters in the Waukegan area and helping disabled veterans at Downey Veterans Hospital in North Chicago; and

WHEREAS, He and his wife Marie volunteered for 52 years with the Swing Club at Downey Veterans Hospital, where the golf course was named in their honor; he taught junior boys and girls how to play golf at his golf driving range in the 1950s, Bonnie Brook Golf Course, the First Tee Program at Foss Park Golf Course, and the Joe Sisolak Park on Blanchard Road in Waukegan; the park was named in his honor to recognize his contributions to the Waukegan community; and

WHEREAS, His golfing honors include: member of the Waukegan Sports Hall of Fame; Exchange Club, Book of Golden Deeds Award; Life Member of the PGA Half Century Club; first recipient of the Chick Evans Award; golf instructor of the 1991-92 Waukegan High School State championship girls golf team; and Grand Marshal (along with his wife, Marie) of the 1998 Fourth of July parade; and eight of his former pupils went on to be golf professionals; and

WHEREAS, He was preceded in death by his wife, Marie; and

WHEREAS, Joseph Sisolak is survived by his sons, Tom Sisolak and wife, Jane, and Bill Sisolak and wife, Vira; his grandchildren, Mary Beth Sisolak Wagner and husband, Dale, Michael Sisolak and wife, Ilyse, and Brian Sisolak and wife, Ericka; two great-grandchildren, Zoie and Mackenzie Sisolak; his sister, Millie Semasko; and many nieces, nephews, and loving friends; 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 Joseph Sisolak; and be it further

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