SR1557 98TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR1557 LRB098 21680 GRL 60532 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Joseph Barclay Organ, who passed away on May 26, 2014; and

WHEREAS, Joseph Organ was born on January 14, 1925 in Oak Park; he was a lifelong resident of Oak Park and River Forest; he married his loving wife, Marilyn, in 1950; and

WHEREAS, Joseph Organ attended Mann Elementary School and was a graduate of Fenwick High School; and

WHEREAS, Joseph Organ served in the United States Army during World War II and was stationed in Europe; and

WHEREAS, After the war, Joseph Organ attended Kenyon College in Gambier, Ohio, where he was a member of the Alpha Delta Phi fraternity; after graduation, he returned to Oak Park and worked for the family lumber and garage-building business; and

WHEREAS, Joseph Organ was involved in real estate throughout his career; he built residential homes and was a licensed realtor; he later worked as supervisor of property acquisitions for the Illinois Department of Transportation; and

WHEREAS, Joseph Organ served on the River Forest Park District Board for over 30 years, many of them as board president; he served as president and was a longtime member of the River Forest Service Club; he also served as commander of River Forest American Legion Post 730 and was an active member of the River Forest Republican Organization; and

WHEREAS, Joseph Organ was the recipient of the Community Service Award from the River Forest Service Club in 2006 for his long history of volunteer service in the community; and

WHEREAS, During his retirement, Joseph Organ was a daily communicant at St. Luke Church in River Forest; he also enjoyed spending time with his devoted family and watching thoroughbred racing with friends at Maywood Park Racetrack; and

WHEREAS, Joseph Organ was preceded in death by his parents, Patrick Joseph Organ and Marie Callahan Organ, and 2 sisters, Patricia Organ Davis Fox McGah and Sally Organ Hughes; and

WHEREAS, Joseph Organ is survived by his wife of 64 years, Marilyn; 3 children, Joseph Barclay Organ, Jr., Melinda Organ Brennan (Terry), and Marcia O'Brien Organ (Michael); 4 grandchildren, Marcella Brennan and Mike, Maggie, and Jack O'Brien; and many nieces and nephews; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-EIGHTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we, along with his family and friends, mourn the passing of Joseph Barclay Organ; and be it further

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