SR0814 99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0814 LRB099 13284 MST 37197 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Bernard Paul "Bernie" Kopitar of Crystal Lake, who passed away on July 12, 2015; and

WHEREAS, Bernie Kopitar was born in Chicago on August 11, 1926 to Frank and Julia (nee Heisen) Kopitar; he attended St. Aloysius Grade School and Crane High School, where he participated in the ROTC program; upon graduation in 1944, he attended Michigan State University as part of the Army Specialized Training Program, followed by training in Biloxi, Mississippi and Langley Field in Virginia as an aviation machinist; he was discharged from the United States Air Force in 1947 after serving a year in Panama; and

WHEREAS, Bernie Kopitar's career as a carpenter and construction superintendent spanned over 40 years, including employment with Carp Construction, Soberg & Sullivan, and Trapani Construction; and

WHEREAS, Bernie Kopitar's hobbies were reading history and wartime books, woodworking and model building, swimming at the HealthBridge Fitness Center, and even most recently, weekly pinochle games at Senior Services in Crystal Lake; he was an avid Chicago sports fan; he and his wife enjoyed their love of dancing and took numerous vacations throughout their years in Arlington Heights and Crystal Lake; they were long-time members of St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church; and

WHEREAS, Bernie Kopitar was preceded in death by his wife of 64 years, Marie; his parents; and his sister, Wilma; and

WHEREAS, Bernie Kopitar is survived by his daughters, Julie (Martin) Tampa and Madelyn (Tim) Wild; his grandchildren, Gregory, Anthony, Rachel (Nick), Emily, and Jenny; and his sister, Helen (Richard) Gerlach; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Bernard Paul "Bernie" Kopitar, 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 Bernie Kopitar as an expression of our deepest sympathy.