SR0277 99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0277 LRB099 11681 MST 33490 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Anton Joseph "Papa Tony" Cerveny of Alamogordo, New Mexico, who passed away on July 22, 2014; and

WHEREAS, Anton Cerveny was born in Chicago on May 13, 1918; he served in the United States Navy during World War II, serving in the Pacific; he later attained his graduate degree from Northwestern University; and

WHEREAS, Anton Cerveny was a bassoonist for the Chicago Symphonic Orchestra, the Longines Symphony Orchestra, the Chicago Civic Opera Orchestra, Kryl's Symphony Orchestra, the Illinois Symphony, WGN Radio, Sonja Henie's Hollywood Orchestra, and several other stage show orchestras; he also taught at Wesleyan University; and

WHEREAS, Anton Cerveny was the director of Virginia area bands for 6 years and Harvard High School bands for 28 years, building the instrumental music department, culminating in multiple State sweepstakes winners and runners-up; in 1973, the band participated in an international competition in Vienna, Austria, earning top honors; he was one of the early founders and ongoing promoters of Harvard Milk Days and was its Grand Marshal in 2004; he was inducted into the National Bandmasters Hall of Fame (Phi Beta Mu) in 1990; and

WHEREAS, Anton Cerveny was a member of the Loyal Order of Moose and the American Legion; in later years, he ran a small marketing specialties business called "Suz-A Pouch Company"; and

WHEREAS, Anton Cerveny was preceded in death by his wife of 57 years, Margaret; his son, Dan; and his brother, Louis; and

WHEREAS, Anton Cerveny was the proud father of 4 children, Dan, Tony (Pam), Maria Showalter, and Ron (Beth); the grandfather of 8; and the great-grandfather of many more; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Anton Joseph "Papa Tony" Cerveny, 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 Anton Cerveny as an expression of our deepest sympathy.