HR0535 98TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

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HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of Macauley G. "Mackie" Nicholes, who passed away on July 22, 2013; and

WHEREAS, Macauley Nicholes was born on March 31, 1943 in Lowell, Massachusetts; his parents were Robert Gilliland Nicholes and Clair Macauley Nicholes; he married Roxanna Buse in 1968 in Mason City; and

WHEREAS, Macauley Nicholes graduated from Easley High School in Easley, South Carolina; he subsequently attended Chowan College in Murfreesboro, North Carolina, where he played football and earned his Associate of Arts degree, and Bethel College in McKenzie, Tennessee, where he earned his Bachelor of Science degree; and

WHEREAS, After college, Macauley Nicholes began his teaching career in Atlanta, Georgia before moving to positions in Chicago and Lake Ridge, Indiana; he and his wife taught in northern Indiana for 3 1/2 years before moving to Harrisburg in 1972 to open a Monical's Pizza Restaurant, which was later renamed "Mackie's Pizza"; and

WHEREAS, Shortly after moving to Harrisburg, Macauley Nicholes went to the local radio station and offered to broadcast the high school games; with the help of his good friend and mentor, Bill Franks, he purchased WEBQ (Rock 100), which enabled him to broadcast many games and sports shows, including SIU basketball and Illinois Football with Dick Butkus; during this time, he also served as director of the Illinois Broadcasting Association; and

WHEREAS, In the early 1980's, Macauley Nicholes traded WEBQ for WSIL-TV, which he owned with 3 partners; after the TV business was sold, he opened Thunderbird Travel, which was later renamed Saluki Travel; during this time, he traveled extensively, visiting over 100 countries all over the world; and

WHEREAS, Macauley Nicholes was a member of the Harrisburg Lodge No. 325 Ancient, Free and Accepted Masons and the Harrisburg Rotary Club for over 40 years; in 2012, he received the Paul Harris Fellow Award; he was also a member of First Presbyterian Church of Harrisburg and served as a director on the Southern Illinois College Foundation Board for several years; and

WHEREAS, Macauley Nicholes enjoyed sports, playing basketball, football, baseball, and golf, and announcing games on the radio; and

WHEREAS, Macauley Nicholes was preceded in death by his twin brother, Gilliland Macauley Nicholes, and his parents, Robert and Claire; and

WHEREAS, Macauley Nicholes is survived by his wife, Roxanna; his sons, Robbie Nicholes and Martin (Whitney) Nicholes; his daughter, Nancy (Rick) Owen; his beloved grandchildren, Hampton Macauley Owen, Frankie Leigh Nicholes, and Quincy Roxanna Nicholes; and his loyal dogs, Biscuit and Muffin; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-EIGHTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we, along with his family and friends, mourn the passing of Macauley G. "Mackie" Nicholes; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Macauley Nicholes as an expression of our sympathy.