SR0212 98TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0212 LRB098 11479 MST 43535 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Dennis Dennehy of Oak Lawn, on January 6, 2013; and

WHEREAS, Dennis Dennehy was an Irish dance teacher for more than half a century; he taught the most famous Irish dancer in the world, "Lord of the Dance", Michael Flatley, as well as Mark Howard, who co-founded Chicago's Trinity, the largest Irish dance program in the world; more than 100 Irish dance teachers in the midwest can trace their roots to Mr. Dennehy and at least 27 schools have been founded by his former students; he and his wife, Margie, co-founded the Dennehy School of Irish Dance in the early 1960s; and

WHEREAS, Dennis Dennehy grew up on the west side of Chicago and attended St. Philip High School; his parents were from the towns of Bantry Bay and Macroom in County Cork, Ireland; he attended Loyola University, where he met his future wife, Margie Bartishell; he worked as an underwriter for Kemper Insurance; and

WHEREAS, Dennis Dennehy enjoyed spending time with his Alaskan malamute, Seamus and the family mutt, Shannon; and

WHEREAS, Dennis Dennehy is survived by his wife, Margie; his son, Dennis Dennehy; his daughter, Kathleen; his sisters, Therese Smetana and Margaret Jandacek; his brother, Emmett, and his grandson, Conor; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-EIGHTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Dennis Dennehy, and we 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 Dennis Dennehy as an expression of our deepest sympathy.