SR0576 98TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0576 LRB098 13974 GRL 48525 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of John Francis Rourke of McHenry, who passed away on September 16, 2013; and

WHEREAS, John Rourke was born on March 16, 1945 in McHenry; his parents were Francis and Beverly (Rimell) Rourke; he married Edith Lee Sutherland on February 14, 1969; and

WHEREAS, John Rourke graduated from McHenry High School in 1963; he went on to attend Northwestern University on a Chick Evans Scholarship; and

WHEREAS, John Rourke was drafted by the United States Army in 1967; he served in the Vietnam War as a member of C Troop, 3rd Squadron, 4th United States Cavalry Regiment of the 25th Infantry Division; he was the recipient of a Presidential Unit Citation, the Vietnam Service Medal with 3 bronze service stars, and a Good Conduct Medal for his meritorious service; and

WHEREAS, After working at Lakeland Construction, Inc., John Rourke worked at Northwest Airlines for 26 years until his retirement in 2007; during his retirement, he worked on a farm, drove a bus, and volunteered at the Centrega Sage Cancer Center in McHenry; and

WHEREAS, John Rourke was a natural athlete from an early age; he was proud to have thrown the first recorded no-hitter in McHenry Little League history and was the first recipient of the McHenry High School All-Sports Athlete of the Year Award; and

WHEREAS, John Rourke enjoyed spending time with his family, especially his three grandsons; he was a dedicated fan of the Chicago Bears, Chicago Cubs, and Chicago Bulls; he also loved all sports, playing pool, golfing, cribbage, backgammon, a good card or dice game, and spending time with his fellow veterans; and

WHEREAS, John Rourke was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Beverly Rourke; his brother, Kurt Patrick Rourke; his mother-in-law, Naomi Mazarka; his niece, Billie Jo "Sissy" Perry; his great-nephew, Harrison Dooher; his brother-in-law, Nicholas Freund; and his in-laws, Paul and Bonnie Mpistolarides; and

WHEREAS, John Rourke is survived by his loving wife of 44 years, Edith Rourke; his daughters, Jenifer (Jeff) Anderson and Raina Rourke; his grandsons, Brady John and Ryan Michael Anderson and Jonah Francis Rourke; his sister, Cynthia Freund; his brother, Kevin Rourke; and his many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, and friends; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-EIGHTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we, along with his family and friends, mourn the passing of John Francis Rourke; and be it further

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