SR1044 98TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR1044 LRB098 20729 MST 57684 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of William Joseph "Bill" Cunningham of Vernon Hills, who passed away on March 10, 2014; and

WHEREAS, William Cunningham was born in Chicago on April 29, 1935 to Thomas and Beatrice Cunningham; he graduated from Schurz High School; and

WHEREAS, William Cunningham worked as a painter with the Nimrod Decorating Company and was a very active member of Painters Union Local 275, serving as financial secretary, apprentice teacher, and eventually President and business agent for many years until his retirement; and

WHEREAS, William Cunningham was active in the Des Plaines community; he participated in Boy Scouts with his sons and Indian Guides with the YMCA; he also coached little-league baseball teams and was on many bowling teams; he was active in the Catholic Church and was a member of St. Mary of Vernon Church in Indian Creek for many years, where he assembled a golf team for the annual golf outing; he was also a member of St. Jude Catholic Church in Sarasota, Florida where he spent winters; and

WHEREAS, William Cunningham enjoyed monthly poker games with long-time friends, fishing, camping, and discovering his Irish heritage, which culminated in a trip to Ireland, visiting many of his extended relatives; he also traveled to Europe many times, the Caribbean, Hawaii, the Greek Isles, China, and many other destinations; he was a doting grandfather and attended every family event he could possibly fit in; and

WHEREAS, William Cunningham is survived by Patricia Beal; his children, Thomas Gregory (Jens) Cunningham, Donald William Cunningham, and Cynthia Louise (Thomas) Lademan; his grandchildren, Kelly Ann Cunningham, Deborah Claire Cunningham, and Kennedy Cunningham Xiu Qiu Lademan; his best friends and sisters, Maureen Sheila Sullivan and Eileen Ann Muench; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-EIGHTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of William Joseph "Bill" Cunningham, and extend our sincere condolences to his family, friends, and all who knew and loved him; and be it further

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