SR0905 96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0905 LRB096 23238 GRL 42588 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Anthony Nemetz of Waukegan, who passed away on July 18, 2010; and

WHEREAS, Anthony Nemetz was born on December 14, 1918 and raised in Kenosha, Wisconsin, where his parents, Anton and Rose Nemetz, owned and operated a bar and restaurant on Sheridan Road; in June of 1940, he married Mary Ellen Spiroff and moved to Waukegan; a son, Robert, was born the following year; and

WHEREAS, Soon after the birth of his son, Anthony Nemetz was drafted into the U.S. Army and sent to war, where he served as an infantryman during World War II; in the winter of 1944-45, he took part in the Battle of the Bulge, the single largest and bloodiest battle fought by American forces during the war; during that battle, he suffered a shrapnel wound; and

WHEREAS, After World War II, Anthony Nemetz worked as a salesman for Sears, Roebuck & Co.; he then went into business for himself manufacturing and selling aluminum storm and screen windows; later, he started his own general contracting business, constructing numerous well-built homes throughout Lake County; after his wife passed away in 1969, he opened a car wash on the corner of Greenwood and Jackson in Waukegan and later opened a self-service car wash on Edison Court; and

WHEREAS, Anthony Nemetz was a talented musician who played in a local tamburitizan orchestra that entertained at weddings, picnics, and other Croatian events; he frequently enjoyed playing the organ for family and friends; he enjoyed traveling to visit his son Bob and his wife Peggy in Maryland, other members of his family in Florida and Pennsylvania, and the family members of his long-time companion, Margaret Egan, who had children and grandchildren in several other states; he was an avid sports fan who closely followed his favorite teams, the Chicago Cubs, the Chicago Bears, and the Chicago Bulls, and was a good golfer as well; his hobby was to try to beat the odds at the local offtrack betting outlet, where he spent many hours with friends; he was also a die-hard Democrat who kept current on all politics and who did not hesitate to argue his position on issues with anyone who would do so; and

WHEREAS, Anthony Nemetz was preceded in death by his parents, Anton and Rose (Kovacic) Nemetz; his sister, Rose Miladin; and his brothers, Frank and Robert Nemetz; and

WHEREAS, Anthony Nemetz is survived by his son, Robert Anthony Nemetz; his daughter-in-law, Margaret "Peggy" Nottingham Nemetz; his nephews, James Nemetz and Bill Miladin; and several cousins; 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 Anthony Nemetz; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Anthony Nemetz as an expression of our sympathy.