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1
SENATE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened
3to learn of the death of Geoffrey John "Jeff" FitzGerald, who
4passed away on September 26, 2022 at the age of 66; and
 
5    WHEREAS, Jeff FitzGerald was born on October 4, 1955 to
6the late Christopher James FitzGerald III and Margaret Dell
7(Daly) in Evanston; and
 
8    WHEREAS, In his earlier years, Jeff FitzGerald lived among
9the water, woods, and tree houses of Evanston, Cincinnati,
10Ohio, and Oak Park, the place his family called home the
11longest; and
 
12    WHEREAS, Jeff FitzGerald was the fourth of nine children
13and was known to his siblings as "Adventure Boy" due to his
14intrepid spirit; and
 
15    WHEREAS, Jeff FitzGerald attended Oak Park and River
16Forest High School and the Harrington College of Design; and
 
17    WHEREAS, Jeff FitzGerald was married to his high school
18sweetheart, Marie (Riggs) FitzGerald, for 29 years; and
 
19    WHEREAS, Jeff FitzGerald shared homes and businesses in

 

 

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1McGregor, Iowa and Minneapolis, Minnesota, before a
2houseboating trip led him to small-town living in Lansing,
3Iowa; and
 
4    WHEREAS, Jeff FitzGerald and his wife opened FitzGerald's
5Inn Bed and Breakfast and completed their family of four
6children, before settling in Dubuque, Iowa in 1997; and
 
7    WHEREAS, Jeff FitzGerald had a deep love for the
8Mississippi River, historic buildings, gardening, and bringing
9life back to things, from plants and flowers to hardwood
10floors and trim; and
 
11    WHEREAS, Jeff FitzGerald had a discerning eye for
12restoration and renovation, where others saw a lost cause he
13saw potential; and
 
14    WHEREAS, Jeff FitzGerald loved music of all genres and
15enjoyed setting the scene of any family event with music,
16lighting, great food, and room for dancing; and
 
17    WHEREAS, Jeff FitzGerald was never at a loss for words; he
18had a rich store of anecdotes for any listening ear, and where
19laughter was needed, he could provide; and
 
20    WHEREAS, Jeff FitzGerald's jocular nature and infectious

 

 

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1laugh could cure most ailments; and
 
2    WHEREAS, Jeff FitzGerald was dynamic and resilient, able
3to overcome illness for the better part of three decades,
4surpassing expectations and always living by his own terms and
5timeline; and
 
6    WHEREAS, Jeff FitzGerald is survived by his children,
7Meghan FitzGerald, Kyle (Callie) FitzGerald, Erin FitzGerald,
8and Riley FitzGerald; their mother, Marie FitzGerald; his
9eight grandchildren, Mikayla and Elijah Farber, Ruby
10FitzGerald, Jaylen, Michelle and Maleyah FitzGerald, Tyler
11Cassady, and Wesley FitzGerald-Meekins; his seven siblings,
12Mary, Bill, Chris, Sheila, Brian, Catherine, and Terry; his
13brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law; and many cherished nieces,
14nephews, and cousins; therefore, be it
 
15    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL
16ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of
17Geoffrey John "Jeff" FitzGerald and extend our sincere
18condolences to his family, friends, and all who knew and loved
19him; and be it further
 
20    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
21presented to the family of Jeff FitzGerald as an expression of
22our deepest sympathy.