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1
SENATE RESOLUTION

 
2     WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to
3 learn of the death of Patrick J. "Papa" "The Cat" O'Neil of
4 Homer Glen, formerly of Joliet, who passed away on May 1, 2010;
5 and
 
6     WHEREAS, He was born in Joliet; he was a proud graduate of
7 Joliet Catholic High School, class of 1952, where he attended
8 several Alumni functions and still met with his close
9 classmates for lunch and golf outings; he was a graduate of
10 Worsham College of Mortuary Science, class of 1957; and
 
11     WHEREAS, He was a third generation licensed funeral
12 director and embalmer for 53 years, taking over the funeral
13 home business from his father; he served his country as a
14 Korean War Army Veteran; he was a member of St. Joseph Catholic
15 Church in Lockport and St. Joseph Church Holy Name Society; he
16 served as an Eucharistic Minister for many years; he was a
17 member of the Lockport American Legion John Olson Post #18, the
18 Lockport Moose Lodge #1557; and he was a volunteer Deputy
19 Coroner for his son; and
 
20     WHEREAS, He was a member of the Will County Police Chiefs
21 Association, a member of the Illinois and National Funeral
22 Directors Associations, a member of the Lockport Golf and

 

 

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1 Recreation Club, a Charter member and co-founder of the First
2 Community Bank of Homer Glen and Lockport, a member of the
3 Lewis University Office of the President's Board, a member and
4 past President of the Lockport Lions Club, a former member of
5 the State of Illinois Funeral Directors and Embalmers Licensing
6 Board, a former State of Illinois Secretary of State drivers
7 license employee, and one of the founding members and board
8 member of Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery; and
 
9     WHEREAS, He was a founder of the Lockport Heights Sanitary
10 District; he was a Homer township trustee; and a proud and
11 active member of the Lockport Chamber of Commerce, starting
12 many Old Canal Day Parades; he also was very active in the St.
13 Joseph School Athletic Association, coaching basketball for
14 many years and countless other activities associated with St.
15 Joseph School and Church and Providence Catholic High School;
16 and
 
17     WHEREAS, He and his wife were awarded many awards for their
18 unconditional dedication and support at both St. Joseph Parish
19 and Providence Catholic High School; he was an avid Chicago
20 White Sox fan, Bears fan, but mostly was his children's and
21 grandchildren's biggest fan and cheerleader in all of their
22 school and sporting activities; he was also proud of his Irish
23 heritage, his condo in Sarasota, Florida, and his home on the
24 Kankakee River; and
 

 

 

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1     WHEREAS, He was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph T.
2 and LaVerna (Slater) O'Neil; his brothers, James, J. Francis,
3 Arthur, Joseph Jr., and John; and his in-laws, Louis and Rose
4 (Talarico) Fondriest; and
 
5     WHEREAS, Patrick O'Neil is survived by his devoted wife of
6 54 years, Joyce (Fondriest); his children, Kimberly (Edward)
7 Golob and Patrick K. (Jennifer); the loves of his life, his
8 grandchildren, Bradley Edward (fiance,Tabitha Krieser), Erin
9 Colleen, and Shannon Patrick Golob, Shae Marie and Ryan Patrick
10 O'Neil; his great-grandson, Nathanael; his sister, Mary O'Neil
11 (the late Edward) Stefanich; his sister-in-law and
12 brother-in-law, Patricia and William Kettman; and numerous
13 nieces, nephews, and dear friends, whom he loved so much; also
14 surviving are his employees, whom he treated and loved as his
15 family; therefore, be it
 
16     RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL
17 ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn, along with
18 his family and friends, the passing of Patrick O'Neil; and be
19 it further
 
20     RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
21 presented to the family of Patrick O'Neil as a symbol of our
22 sincere sympathy.