SR0687 97TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0687 LRB097 20945 GRL 68060 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Vincent C. Gregory of East St. Louis, who passed away on March 8, 2012; and

WHEREAS, Vincent Gregory was born on November 21, 1934, in St Louis, Missouri; his parents were Pearl "Speedy" Gregory and Lovie Hudson Gregory; he married Eleanor E. Gregory in 1974; and

WHEREAS, Vincent Gregory graduated from Lincoln Senior High School in 1951; he subsequently attended the University of Illinois until he left school to enlist in the United States Navy, where he served as a machinist on a repair ship; at the time of his discharge, he served as a shore policeman; after his discharge, he returned to his hometown of East St. Louis, where he began working for the United States Postal Service; and

WHEREAS, After working for the USPS for several years, Vincent Gregory decided to become an entrepreneur; the first of his many business ventures in East St. Louis was a service station called "Vince 66"; he later opened a night club named "Swahili"; in 1973, he opened "Mello Freeze", which would become a part of his legacy; during this time, he also worked as an independent contractor for H.H. Hall Construction; and

WHEREAS, Vincent Gregory enjoyed cars, playing and watching tennis, and traveling with his family; during his life, he traveled to 6 of the 7 continents; and

WHEREAS, Vincent Gregory was preceded in death by his parents; his grandparents; his parents-in-law; and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins; and

WHEREAS, Vincent Gregory is survived by his loving wife, Eleanor; his daughter, Carla; his sons, Brian and Larry; his grandchildren, Lyndsey, Tiffany, Larry D. II, C.J. Larry, Gabrielle (GiGi), and Jillian; his great-grandchildren, Diamond and Tori; his aunts, Alice Cason, Deloris Jackson Hudson, and Mary Gregory; his cousin and best friend, Harold Gregory; the young men whom he loved and mentored, Terry, Marlon, Dennis, Kevin, Harold Jr., Jordan, Julian, and Dimechi; and his many nephews, nieces, cousins, god-children, friends, church family, and neighbors; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-SEVENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn, along with his family and friends, the passing of Vincent C. Gregory; and be it further

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