SR2570 99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR2570 LRB099 24297 KLG 52040 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Charles "Chuck" Dennis Sandford of Marengo, who passed away on December 2, 2016, at the age of 70; and

WHEREAS, Charles Sandford was born in Joplin, Missouri to Charles William and Mary Louise (Williams) Sandford on August 30, 1946; he graduated from Washington High School in Cedar Rapids, Iowa in 1964, where he was active on the basketball and baseball teams; he married Maribeth (Kapilla) in 1991; and

WHEREAS, Charles Sandford attended Northeast Missouri State Teachers College (now Truman State) for two years before entering the U.S. Army where he served for two years, including one year in Vietnam as a Specialist 5; after his discharge from the Army, he attended Upper Iowa University for one year; he then began his life in the Chicago area, including entering the horse business by owning pacers and quarter horses; and

WHEREAS, Charles Sandford joined Maribeth's company, Bag Makers, Inc., and was named company president; he partnered with Maribeth to guide the company through three decades of rapid growth and success; and

WHEREAS, Charles Sandford, along with his wife, entered the thoroughbred industry in 2010 under the stable name Chuck and Maribeth Sandford, LLC; the stable rose to prominence in 2012 while campaigning with the Florida Derby winner (G1), Take Charge Indy; Take Charge Indy was injured in the Kentucky Derby, but came back to win the Alysheba Stakes at Churchill Downs before retiring to WinStar Farm; and

WHEREAS, Charles Sandford enjoyed all aspects of the racing industry; he loved watching his horses and would spend countless hours at the barn with his longtime friend and trainer, Patrick Byrne; he always enjoyed watching the colts grow up into promising two-year olds; he was an active participant in numerous auctions including the September Yearling Sale at Keeneland and the Fasig-Tipton Two-Year-Olds In Training Sale in Florida; in addition to his great love of horses, he enjoyed dogs, golfing, bowling, and spending time with his family; and

WHEREAS, Charles Sandford was preceded in death by his parents; and

WHEREAS, Charles Sandford is survived by his wife, Maribeth; his sister, Cheryl (Roger) Bayness; his step-children, Paul (Stephanie) Fleming, and Jennifer Madai; his nephew, Jeremy (Jennifer) Bayness; his nieces, Jennifer (Scott) McFadden, and Brittany (Blake) Pawlikowski; his grandchildren, Anna Marie (Ben) Bean, Ben and Mia Fleming, Amanda Madai, and Aubrie (Kevin) Thompson; and his great-grandchildren, Josephine and Isabelle Bean and Aurora Thompson; 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 Charles D. Sandford, 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 Charles Sandford as an expression of our deepest sympathy.