SR0021 97TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0021 LRB097 06518 KXB 46602 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Nick Perica of Alton, who passed away on September 22, 2010; and

WHEREAS, He was born on November 5, 1921, in Alton, to Ivan and Bozica Perica, immigrants from Dalmatia, Austria-Hungary; he attended Alton schools and in 1941, while working for Standard Oil Barge Line, became a United States Army soldier; in 1942, he was a Presidential Honor Guard for President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, and was then selected to be a member of the elite and top secret intelligence organization, the (OSS) Office of Strategic Services; due to his knowledge of foreign languages and the combination of mental and physical toughness, the patriotic duty was to help America win the war; and

WHEREAS, His World War II duties included saving the lives of many downed airmen behind enemy lines, and he trained resistance fighters to help fight for freedom in their countries; while working as a covert undercover agent in Italy he met and married his wife of 65 years, Ivka Eva Perica; and

WHEREAS, After the war, he worked at Laclede Steel Company of Alton for 40 years; he was a lifelong Roman Catholic and member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Alton; he was a proud member of the Disabled American Veterans, the VFW Alton Post 1308, the Eagles of Alton F.O.E. 254, Wood River Moose Lodge 1349, the Knights of Columbus in Highland Council # 1580, and the old Rock Springs Caddies; and

WHEREAS, His interests included dancing, photography, golf, bird watching, nature, woodworking, and telling war stories; his favorite activity was visiting with friends and family; and

WHEREAS, He was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers and sisters, Peter (Mary), John (Minnie), Louis (Gladys), Mary (Joe) Tasso, Lelia (Russell and Frank) Harris-Stimac, Julia (John) Schneto, and Joe (Jean); and

WHEREAS, Nick Perica is survived by his wife, Ivka; their sons and families, Marion (Kathy), Nick A., Bob (Melissa), David, and George (Pat); their grandchildren, Michelle Kiger, Jennifer (Todd) Russell, Amy (Leonard) Madalon, Stephanie (Dan) Fitzgerald, Nicole (Brandon) Gerken, Danielle Perica, Alex Perica, and Leigh and Tess Perica; their great-grandchildren, Lenny and John Madalon; his sister, Rose Sorbie Secord; and many nieces and nephews, both in the USA and Croatia; he will also be deeply missed by many family and friends, especially, Pete Perica and friends, Mark Gentry and Cal Ennis; therefore, be it

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

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Nick Perica as a symbol of our sincere sympathy.