SR0904 98TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0904 LRB098 20063 MST 55314 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Robert W. "Major" Georgantas, Sr. of Lockport, who passed away on January 21, 2014; and

WHEREAS, Robert Georgantas, Sr. was born in Joliet to Anthony and Margaret (nee Palmer) Georgantas; he served in the United States Air Force during World War II and settled in Lockport in 1946; and

WHEREAS, Robert Georgantas, Sr. entered the Illinois State Police Academy in March of 1949 and was assigned to State Police District 5 in Joliet as a trooper; he was promoted to Sergeant in 1952; he was assigned to District 4 in Blue Island as a District Commander and promoted to Lieutenant in 1959; he graduated from the FBI National Academy at Quantico in 1961 and transferred back to District 5 as Acting Commander; he was promoted to Captain in 1963 and was District Commander until being promoted to Major in 1975; he was in command of Area 1, Districts 2-3-4-5, and the District 15 Toll Road until he retired in 1978; after retiring from the Illinois State Police, he ran Bob's Shell in Bolingbrook, Joliet, and Lockport with his son, retiring in 1995; and

WHEREAS, Robert Georgantas, Sr. enjoyed hosting picnics for the Will County Police Chiefs and Illinois State retirees at his home on the Kankakee River in Wilmington; he was past-President of the Will County Police Chiefs Association, the Cook County Council of Police Chiefs, and Lockport Boy's Baseball for 20 years and coached 18-year olds baseball; he was a member of the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police, the International Association of Chiefs of Police, the FBI National Academy Association, the Fraternal Order of Police 41 Lodge, the Will County Sheriff's Merit Commission since 1987 and Chairman of the Commission since 1989; he also was a member of the Lockport Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #5788, the Lockport American Legion John Olson Post #18, a 50-year member of the Lockport Moose Lodge #1557, and a life-member of the Joliet Rivals Club; and

WHEREAS, Robert Georgantas, Sr. was preceded in death by his wife, Gloria (nee Fracaro); his parents; his brothers, George and Donald; and his sister, Betty Bick; and

WHEREAS, Robert Georgantas, Sr. is survived by his children, Cindy Georgantas and Robert W., Jr. (Paulette); his grandchildren, Dr. Robert W., III, Laine (Josh) Vallero, Ginny Georgantas, Dominic (Kate), Angela Welter, Dena Welter, Lisa Welter, and Gina (Joe) Palluck; his 7 great-grandchildren; his brothers, Clarence (Terry) and Richard (Judy); his sisters, Connie A'Hearn and Lorraine (the late David) A'Hearn; and numerous nieces and nephews; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-EIGHTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Robert W. "Major" Georgantas, Sr., 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 Robert Georgantas, Sr. as an expression of our deepest sympathy.