SR0946 97TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0946 LRB097 23240 MST 72066 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are deeply saddened to learn of the death of Fred Abdula of Waukegan, who passed away on October 12, 2012; and

WHEREAS, Fred Abdula was born on August 22, 1925, in Waukegan to Joseph and Valda Abdula; he graduated from Waukegan Township High School in 1943; he served in the U.S. Marine Corps during World War II in the South Pacific and he earned his BSME from the University of Illinois; and

WHEREAS, Fred Abdula worked for Deep Freeze, Inc. and Johnson Motors in Waukegan; in 1955, he started his own business, Air Con Refrigeration and Heating, Inc.; he belonged to the Lake County Contractors Association and served as its president in 1973 and 1979; and

WHEREAS, Fred Abdula was elected to the board of directors at the Bank of Waukegan (NorStates Bank) in 1975; in 1982, he was elected chairman of the board and CEO; upon his retirement in 2011, the NorStates main facility on Lewis Avenue was designated The Honorary Fred Abdula Banking Center; and

WHEREAS, Fred Abdula's love for the community in which he lived and worked led him to become one of the prime people in the refurbishment of the Genesee Theatre, serving on the board of directors since 1991; the Genesee Theatre stage was named in his honor; and

WHEREAS, Fred Abdula held many prestigious positions, such as director of the Waukegan/Lake County Chamber of Commerce, chairman of the First Federal Bank and CEO, member of the board of directors of the Waukegan Business Association, and member of the board of directors of Vista Health Systems; and

WHEREAS, Fred Abdula and his wife had many philanthropic endeavors, including donations to the College of Lake County Foundation, resulting in the annual Abdula Scholarship, attempting to strengthen Israel's economy through the Israel Bond campaign, resulting in his winning the "Gates to Jerusalem" medal, and his donation of funds to purchase police dogs for the city of Waukegan; and

WHEREAS, Fred Abdula was involved in many service organizations, such as The United Way, the American Legion, Elks, Lions, Kiwanis, and Moose Clubs; he had many honors bestowed to him over the years, including CEO of the year by Financial World Magazine in 1993, Chicago Entrepreneurship Hall of Fame inductee in 2003, distinguished alumnus award by the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Illinois in 2006, Patron of the Year-Waukegan Park District in 2009, and grand marshal of Waukegan's American Independence Parade in 2011; and

WHEREAS, Fred Abdula is survived by his wife of 63 years, Anna Marie; his children, Linda (James) Considine, Patrick Abdula, Michael Abdula, and Lisa Abdula; his sister, Marlene Hunt; and many adoring nieces and nephews; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-SEVENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Fred Abdula, and we 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 Fred Abdula as an expression of our deepest sympathy.