SR1236 98TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR1236 LRB098 21407 MST 59827 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Jack Kennedy Lahey of Chicago, who passed away on May 2, 2014; and

WHEREAS, Jack Lahey grew up in Wrigleyville and attended Old St. Pat's High School; he played basketball for DePaul University from 1948 to 1951, and was drafted into the United States Army in the early 1950s; and

WHEREAS, Jack Lahey joined the Harlem Globetrotters organization as a member of one of their traveling teams of in-house rivals and faced off with such greats as Goose Tatum, Marques Haynes, and Ermer Robinson; though his teams always were beaten by the Globetrotters, it enabled him to see the world and meet celebrities; he met Marilyn Monroe and Joe DiMaggio in Japan, comedian Danny Kaye in Hawaii, and bandleader Xavier Cugat in the Philippines; he also saw Australia, Singapore, and Hong Kong; and

WHEREAS, After his basketball career ended, Jack Lahey returned to Chicago and worked as a physical education instructor for the Board of Education; he also worked as a vending machine distributor and a real estate investor; and

WHEREAS, Jack Lahey enjoyed a good meal, a glass of Cutty Sark, the view from his Acapulco condo, and watching an exciting basketball game on TV; and

WHEREAS, Jack Lahey is survived by his wife, Angeline (nee Villafuerte); his sister, Mary Jemilo; a brother, William; and a step-daughter, Michelle Nieves; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-EIGHTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Jack Kennedy Lahey, 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 Jack Lahey as an expression of our deepest sympathy.