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1
SENATE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to
3learn of the death of Emile R. Gelinas of Walla Walla,
4Washington, who passed away on March 23, 2017; and
 
5    WHEREAS, Emile Gelinas was born in Manchester, New
6Hampshire to Eulalie Lemieux and Emile Gelinas on January 19,
71926; he grew up in Woonsocket, Rhode Island and attended
8Catholic school taught in French, his first language; he was
9drafted into the United States Army in 1945 and served 18
10months in post-World War II Germany; he returned to Rhode
11Island and attended Brown University for two years; he moved to
12Chicago in 1949 and attended the Chicago College of Laboratory
13Technique; he married Rosemary "Rosie" Friedrich in
14Chillicothe in May of 1952; and
 
15    WHEREAS, Emile Gelinas and his wife lived in Peoria where
16they both worked for a hospital lab; they then moved to
17Chillicothe, working together in a medical laboratory they
18established; during this time, they adopted two children,
19Lauren and David; while living in Chillicothe, he enrolled at
20Bradley University in Peoria where he earned his bachelor's
21degree by taking night classes; he graduated from the Loyola
22University Chicago College of Dental Surgery in 1963; and
 

 

 

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1    WHEREAS, Emile Gelinas was intent on opening his own dental
2practice in a rural town and moved his family to Harvard where
3they made their home for 26 years; he served on the Harvard
4School District Board of Education for nine years, six as
5president; one of his proudest accomplishments while on the
6board was getting a major school referendum passed after two
7previously failed attempts and some hostile opposition; and
 
8    WHEREAS, Emile Gelinas was involved in the Lions Club; he
9was a faithful member of St. Joseph Church, where he served on
10several committees; he was also an enthusiastic member of a few
11informal groups, such as the "POKER CLUB"; and
 
12    WHEREAS, Emile Gelinas was a proud and doting grandfather
13and could not wait to take his granddaughters out for a special
14treat when he visited; and
 
15    WHEREAS, Emile Gelinas loved music; he heard Luciano
16Pavarotti sing in Milan, Italy and at a private performance in
17San Francisco, California; he loved Christmas and was generous
18to others; he enjoyed wine, shopping, following the Chicago
19Cubs and Blackhawks, and Sunday evening dining at the Bismark
20Hotel; and
 
21    WHEREAS, Emile Gelinas retired in 1989 and he and his wife
22began a new life in Palm Springs, California; he became the

 

 

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1resident "go-to" guy of the homeowners association; for over 20
2years, he volunteered at the Desert Regional Medical Center; in
32015, he moved to Walla Walla, Washington to be near his
4daughter, Lauri, and her husband; and
 
5    WHEREAS, Emile Gelinas was preceded in death by his
6parents; his wife, Rosemary; his sister, Irene; and his foster
7son, Bill Walkup; and
 
8    WHEREAS, Emile Gelinas is survived by his daughter, Lauren
9(Jeff); his son, David (Tina); his granddaughters, Alexandra
10(Steve) Cannon, Tigen (Toby) Sanavongxay, and Gabrielle
11Stiles; his great-grandchildren, Joy and Sidney Sanavongxay;
12and his buddies, Joe and Tony DeMay; therefore, be it
 
13    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDREDTH GENERAL
14ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of
15Emile R. Gelinas, and extend our sincere condolences to his
16family, friends, and all who knew and loved him; and be it
17further
 
18    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
19presented to the family of Emile Gelinas as an expression of
20our deepest sympathy.