SR0678 97TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0678 LRB097 20802 KXB 67454 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Gregory Novak of Savoy, who passed away on March 7, 2012; and

WHEREAS, He was born in Chicago on September 4, 1950, the son of George and Sylvia (Stepnowski) Novak; he married Donna Oakes Gerbino on July 19, 1997 and became a father to her daughter, Elizabeth Lindsey; and

WHEREAS, He worked as a librarian at Edison and Jefferson middle schools in Champaign for 31 years; he also served as the librarian for the Champaign Office of Education; during his tenure in Champaign, he was an active member of the Champaign Teachers Federation serving as a building steward, member of the collective bargaining unit, vice president and president; and

WHEREAS, Upon his retirement, he was elected to the Champaign Board of Education; he worked tirelessly to improve the education of all children in Unit 4 schools; he was especially proud of the improvements made to the elementary schools and the construction of a new elementary school in Savoy; and

WHEREAS, In addition to his family and to his educational pursuits, he was a voracious reader and avid war gamer; he was considered an authority on the Spanish American War and the Civil War; he wrote books about historical events as well as rules for miniature war games; and

WHEREAS, Gregory Novak is survived by his father of Savoy; his wife, Donna; his daughter, Elizabeth; his grandchildren, Margaret Jane, Sophia Ann, Robert Gregory, and Abigail Elizabeth; his siblings, Cindie (Bob) Teeling, Cathie Stevanovich, Jon (Vanessa) Novak, and Peg (Tony) Luetkehans; and his many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews; 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 Gregory Novak; and be it further

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