SR0520 100TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0520 LRB100 12632 MST 25913 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Emile R. Gelinas of Walla Walla, Washington, who passed away on March 23, 2017; and

WHEREAS, Emile Gelinas was born in Manchester, New Hampshire to Eulalie Lemieux and Emile Gelinas on January 19, 1926; he grew up in Woonsocket, Rhode Island and attended Catholic school taught in French, his first language; he was drafted into the United States Army in 1945 and served 18 months in post-World War II Germany; he returned to Rhode Island and attended Brown University for two years; he moved to Chicago in 1949 and attended the Chicago College of Laboratory Technique; he married Rosemary "Rosie" Friedrich in Chillicothe in May of 1952; and

WHEREAS, Emile Gelinas and his wife lived in Peoria where they both worked for a hospital lab; they then moved to Chillicothe, working together in a medical laboratory they established; during this time, they adopted two children, Lauren and David; while living in Chillicothe, he enrolled at Bradley University in Peoria where he earned his bachelor's degree by taking night classes; he graduated from the Loyola University Chicago College of Dental Surgery in 1963; and

WHEREAS, Emile Gelinas was intent on opening his own dental practice in a rural town and moved his family to Harvard where they made their home for 26 years; he served on the Harvard School District Board of Education for nine years, six as president; one of his proudest accomplishments while on the board was getting a major school referendum passed after two previously failed attempts and some hostile opposition; and

WHEREAS, Emile Gelinas was involved in the Lions Club; he was a faithful member of St. Joseph Church, where he served on several committees; he was also an enthusiastic member of a few informal groups, such as the "POKER CLUB"; and

WHEREAS, Emile Gelinas was a proud and doting grandfather and could not wait to take his granddaughters out for a special treat when he visited; and

WHEREAS, Emile Gelinas loved music; he heard Luciano Pavarotti sing in Milan, Italy and at a private performance in San Francisco, California; he loved Christmas and was generous to others; he enjoyed wine, shopping, following the Chicago Cubs and Blackhawks, and Sunday evening dining at the Bismark Hotel; and

WHEREAS, Emile Gelinas retired in 1989 and he and his wife began a new life in Palm Springs, California; he became the resident "go-to" guy of the homeowners association; for over 20 years, he volunteered at the Desert Regional Medical Center; in 2015, he moved to Walla Walla, Washington to be near his daughter, Lauri, and her husband; and

WHEREAS, Emile Gelinas was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Rosemary; his sister, Irene; and his foster son, Bill Walkup; and

WHEREAS, Emile Gelinas is survived by his daughter, Lauren (Jeff); his son, David (Tina); his granddaughters, Alexandra (Steve) Cannon, Tigen (Toby) Sanavongxay, and Gabrielle Stiles; his great-grandchildren, Joy and Sidney Sanavongxay; and his buddies, Joe and Tony DeMay; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDREDTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Emile R. Gelinas, 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 Emile Gelinas as an expression of our deepest sympathy.