SR0914 98TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0914 LRB098 20224 MST 55575 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the deaths of James, Sr. and Joan Simon, both of Bridgeview; and

WHEREAS, James Simon, Sr. was born in Chicago on April 19, 1933 to Steven and Rose Simon; in 1952, he married Joan Cochrane, who was born in Chicago on February 27, 1934 to William and Marie Cochrane; they settled in Bridgeview in 1953; and

WHEREAS, James Simon, Sr. began his career as a carpenter, but was called to create a better neighborhood for his community and children; together, he and Joan restarted Boy Scout Troop 13; they also founded the Bridgeview Park District in 1965, with James serving as its Parks Committee Chairman and Commissioner for 6 years; and

WHEREAS, Joan Simon obtained her bachelor's degree in Applied Behavioral Science from the National College of Education, while serving as the Bridgeview Park District Secretary and, along with James, Sr., founded the Bridgeview Public Library, where she served as a Trustee; she also served as Trustee for the Village of Bridgeview; and

WHEREAS, Joan Simon developed a passion for education and obtained her master's degree in Adult and Continuing Education from National Louis University; she subsequently became an Executive Dean and Vice-President at Prairie State College in Chicago Heights; she retired in 1999; and

WHEREAS, James Simon, Sr. found himself called to public service again and helped establish Kids Safe City in Bridgeview, a nonprofit organization designed to teach children safety skills; he and Joan both served on the board of Kids Safe City for many years; and

WHEREAS, James, Sr. and Joan Simon loved to spend time with family and friends, host parties, and play cards; James, Sr. also enjoyed cooking and woodworking; Joan enjoyed arts and crafts and the theater; they devoted much of their time to helping others and their community in any way they could; and

WHEREAS, James, Sr. Simon passed away on June 22, 2012 and Joan Simon passed away on December 24, 2013; they were preceded in death by their parents; their son, Gary; James, Sr.'s brother, George; and Joan's brother, William; and

WHEREAS, James, Sr. and Joan Simon are survived by their children, James (Bridget) Simon, Jr. and Christy Simon (Stanley Wells); their daughter-in-law, Nancy Simon (Gary); James, Sr.'s siblings, Steven (Linda) Simon and Thomas (Joan) Simon; Joan's brother, Richard (Marylou) Cochrane; their grandchildren, Eric (Kali) Simon, Lauren Simon, Rebecca (Timothy) Fuller, and Brian Simon; their great-grandchildren, Ember Simon and Aubrey Fuller; and their many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-EIGHTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of James, Sr. and Joan Simon, and we extend our sincere condolences to their family, friends, and all who knew and loved them; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of James, Sr. and Joan Simon as an expression of our deepest sympathy.