SR2133 100TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR2133 LRB100 24032 ALS 43129 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Frank G. "Beaver" Schwartz Jr. of Springfield, who passed away on October 19, 2018; and

WHEREAS, Frank Schwartz Jr. was born in Springfield to Frank and Margaret (Kenner) Schwartz on February 24, 1934; he grew up on South 13th Street and spent most of his free time on the neighborhood baseball diamond; he turned his pitching skills into a full scholarship to the University of Illinois, where he held the earned run average record for over ten years; as a senior, he was awarded the Ma-Wan-Da Award for leadership both on and off of the field; before graduating in 1958, he spent two years playing baseball for the United States Army in Okinawa; he was married to Fran (Fuhrwerk) Schwartz for 57 years; they raised a large family, moved to the country, learned to farm, traveled the world together, and threw legendary parties; and

WHEREAS, Frank Schwartz Jr. had a long career in the insurance business; he was an agent with New England Life, Connecticut Mutual Life, National Financial Partners, and achieved Emeritus status with MassMutual; his achievements included being Top of the Table with the Million Dollar Round Table and qualifying as a Million Dollar Round Table member for 51 continuous years; he loved the insurance business because he could care for his clients like family; and

WHEREAS, Frank Schwartz Jr. co-founded and served as president of the Springfield Caps in the 1960s; he helped to reactivate the Springfield U of I Alumni Association and served on the U of I Alumni Association Board; in 2016, he was inducted into the Springfield Sports Hall of Fame; he served on the Springfield Diocese Advisory Board, the Advisory Board of the Cilco Gas Company, the Washington Park Children's Playground Fundraising Committee, and the Advisory Board of the Community Foundation for the Land of Lincoln; he was a founding member of the St. Patrick's School Board, a member of the American Business Club, the American Legion, and the Sangamo Club; he was an active member of St. Agnes Catholic Church, where he served as the self-appointed door greeter; he also served on the St. Agnes Building Committee and was a Eucharistic Minister; and

WHEREAS, Frank Schwartz Jr. taught his family to enjoy every moment, always save room for dessert, and to never take no for an answer; he was big-hearted, kind, and generous; he never knew a stranger, and he deeply loved his friends; and

WHEREAS, Frank Schwartz Jr. was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Fran; and his son, Paul Schwartz; and

WHEREAS, Frank Schwartz Jr. is survived by his sister, Mary Ann Wood; his sister-in-law, Barbara J. Fuhrwerk; his children, Cathy (John Shafer) Schwartz, Paula (Mike) Ryan, Ann (Nick) Luff, Ed (Renee) Schwartz, and Jean (Chuck) Weiss; his grandchildren, Shelley (Zach) Brown, Katie (Drew) deMarco, Lauren Weiss, Chris (Philicia) Ryan, Andrew Weiss, Danny Schwartz, Elle Ryan, Joey Schwartz, Emma Shafer, and Matthew Weiss; his great-grandchildren, Emma Brown, Carter deMarco, Leo deMarco, Ava Brown, and Henry deMarco; and his companion and friend on many adventures, Nancy Smith; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDREDTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Frank G. "Beaver" Schwartz Jr. and extend our sincere condolences to his family, friends, and all who knew and loved him; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Frank Schwartz Jr. as an expression of our deepest sympathy.