SR1115 99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR1115 LRB099 13999 GRL 38015 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of John Thomas "Jack" Petry, who passed away on August 19, 2015; and

WHEREAS, John Petry was born on June 8, 1925; his parents were Charles A. Petry and Josephine Tyrrell Petry; he married his loving wife, JoAnne, in 1951; and

WHEREAS, John Petry was an Eagle Scout and was known for his paper route; he attended Holy Cross School and Champaign High School, where he participated in football, wrestling, and golf; he finished in 3rd place in the State wrestling tournament, which earned him a spot in the Champaign High School Sports Hall of Fame; and

WHEREAS, John Petry volunteered for the Naval Air Corps out of high school and trained as a fighter pilot, completing his training just as World War II was ending; and

WHEREAS, John Petry graduated from the University of Illinois with a degree in architectural engineering; he continued wrestling in the Navy and in college, obtaining a top finish in the NCAA tournament; and

WHEREAS, John Petry joined C.A. Petry and Sons and worked as a general contractor until his retirement in 1990; during this time, he joined the Central Illinois Chapter of the Associated General Contractors and served as the organization's president in 1969; and

WHEREAS, John Petry was one of the original parishioners of St. Matthew Catholic Parish and built both the church and the original part of the grade school; his firm also constructed numerous buildings, such as Centennial High School and the main parts of Parkland College; and

WHEREAS, John Petry was a member of the Champaign Country Club, where he once served as president; he and his wife were loyal volunteers at Catholic Worker House (Daily Bread) for many years; he also served on the Board of Eastern Illinois Foodbank; and

WHEREAS, John Petry enjoyed telling stories, sports, especially Illini basketball or football, attending his children's sporting events, and taking winter ski trips and summer camping trips with his wife and children; and

WHEREAS, John Petry was preceded in death by his wife, JoAnne, and a son, David; and

WHEREAS, John Petry is survived by 2 daughters, Teresa (Patrick) Dorsey and Mary Petry; 5 sons, Tom (Margaret) Petry, Robert (Elizabeth) Petry, Tim Petry, Peter (Rosy) Petry, and Joe (Ann) Petry; 2 sisters, Mary (Ted) Purvin and Patricia (James) Kramer; a sister-in-law, Patty (Paul) Petry; and a brother, Richard (Lynn) Petry; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we, along with his family and friends, mourn the passing of John Thomas "Jack" Petry; and be it further

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