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1
SENATE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to
3learn of the death of Raymond S. Timpone of Urbana, who passed
4away on March 18, 2012; and
 
5    WHEREAS, He was born on November 12, 1919, in Chicago, the
6son of Patrick and Marietta Timpone; he attended Fenwick High
7School, and subsequently joined the United States Navy; during
8World War II, he served his country as Chief Petty Officer on a
9supply ship stationed in Guam; and
 
10    WHEREAS, Following his tour of duty, he attended the
11University of Illinois on the GI Bill and received his
12bachelor's degree in political science; he then enrolled in the
13University of Illinois Law School; while attending school, he
14and his wife, Maxine, opened a small tavern, which later became
15one of the most popular restaurants in Champaign-Urbana
16history, The Jolly Roger; and
 
17    WHEREAS, He was a pioneer in the restaurant business in
18Champaign-Urbana; following the successful opening of the
19Jolly Roger, he opened several restaurants on campus, Timpone's
20and the Thunderbird; his famous thin crust pizza and Italian
21beef sandwich were among the first of such foods campus, and at
22one time he had over 25 delivery cars; he continued as an

 

 

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1entrepreneur in the restaurant industry, opening several more
2establishments, among them, Pizza Casa, the Jolly Roger Jr.,
3and the Jolly Roger Bambino; and
 
4    WHEREAS, He was the first recipient of Parkland College's
5Hospitality Person of the Year; he was a loyal supporter of the
6University of Illinois; he was a member of the University of
7Illinois Foundation, President's Council, and the I Fund; he
8was a season ticket holder for over a half a century; he was a
9member of the Illinois Quarterback Club, Illini Rebounders, and
10Loyalty Circle; among his proudest moments was receiving his
11Varsity I ring as an "Honorary I Man," which he always wore
12proudly; and
 
13    WHEREAS, He funded several scholarships and had the honor
14of endowing The Stanley O. Ikenberry Chair in the College of
15Education; he was also a great benefactor of the Krannert
16Center for the Performing Arts, both as a donor and an
17enthusiastic attendee; and
 
18    WHEREAS, As a devout Catholic, he was a strong supporter of
19the Serra Club, the Knights of Columbus, and was a council
20member at St. Patrick's parish; he championed Catholic
21education through contributions and support to Holy Cross
22School and The High School of Saint Thomas More; he was a
23member of the Chamber of Commerce and donated generously to the

 

 

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1city, perhaps most notably funding the Timpone Family
2Ornamental Tree Garden in Urbana's Meadowbrook Park; and
 
3    WHEREAS, In 2004, he was asked to be a lead donor for the
4National Italian-American Sports Hall of Fame, helping to
5"Achieve the Dream" of bringing the museum to the city of
6Chicago; among his passions were collecting stamps and coins;
7he was also an enthusiast collector of early American china; he
8stayed current with politics and current events; and he was an
9avid reader who encouraged others to do likewise; and
 
10    WHEREAS, He was preceded in death by his cherished wife of
1133 years, Maxine (Kirby) and his sisters, Roslyn Maister and
12Florence Torres; and
 
13    WHEREAS, Raymond Timpone is survived by his dear, loving
14companion, Joan Schmitt; his daughter, Deanna (John) Wright;
15his sons, Raymond (Ginger) Timpone and Michael Timpone; his
16grandchildren, John (Laura) Wright II, Ashley Wright Paddock,
17Raymond, Nicholas, and Natalie Timpone, and Gage Timpone; his
18great-grandchildren, Julia, Joanna, Faith, and Elle Wright,
19and Maclane, John, Caroline, and Wright Paddock; and his
20brother, Michael (Nettie) Timpone; therefore, be it
 
21    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-SEVENTH GENERAL
22ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn, along with

 

 

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1his family and friends, the passing of Raymond Timpone; and be
2it further
 
3    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
4presented to the family of Raymond Timpone as a symbol of our
5sincere sympathy.