SR0294 101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0294 LRB101 11823 ALS 58725 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Joseph Louis "Bud" Gasparich of Joliet, who passed away on March 21, 2019; and

WHEREAS, Joseph Gasparich was born in Joliet to Mary (Plese) and Matthew Joseph Gasparich; his childhood nickname was Knute after his hero, Knute Rockne, and his love of Notre Dame football; he attended Saint Mary's Nativity grade school and Joliet Township High School; immediately following graduation, he enlisted in the United States Army, where he became a Technical Sergeant in the 555th Engineer Heavy Ponton Battalion and served in the European Theatre during World War II; he married Helen Lazar in 1949; and

WHEREAS, After the war, Joseph Gasparich worked as an electrician at US Steel for 40 years, where he was a union organizer and then served as its treasurer; and

WHEREAS, Joseph Gasparich was a talented baseball player and played on several Joliet championship teams; his athletic ability helped him bowl a perfect 300; he became an accomplished golfer and played in leagues until he was 85; a lifelong fan of the Chicago Cubs, he relished in the team's World Series victory; he was an avid reader and astute investor; he always put his family first; he emphasized the importance of education and believed his children could achieve anything they set their minds to; and

WHEREAS, Joseph Gasparich was preceded in death by his wife, Helen; his oldest son, Joseph A. (Anna) Gasparich; his grandson, Matthew Joseph Gasparich, and his siblings, Marie (Frank) Spesia and Thomas (Mary) Gasparich; and

WHEREAS, Joseph Gasparich is survived by children, James (Mary Jo) Gasparich, Mary Beth (Rusty) Jessee, JoAnn (Leonard) Rittof, Robert (Adriana) Gasparich, William Gasparich, Micki (John) Naal, and Patty (Scott) Multack; his daughter-in-law, Anna Gasparich; his brother and sisters-in-law, Mary (Peter) Lazar and Anne and Richard Thayer; his grandchildren, Christina (Andrew) Witt, Stephanie (Chico Gersappe) Gasparich, Sara (Hendrick) Van Hemert, Joe Jessee, Danielle (Steven) Houston, Nicole, Kelley, and Jacob Gasparich, Austin, Nate, and Jack Naal, Adrianna, Christopher, David, and Erica Diviero; his great-grandchildren, Alex and Ryan Witt, Aleta Van Hemert, and Emma Houston; and his many cousins, nieces, and nephews; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED FIRST GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Joseph Louis "Bud" Gasparich 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 Joseph Gasparich as an expression of our deepest sympathy.