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1
SENATE RESOLUTION

  
 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to 
3learn of the death of Christo Mathew "Chris" Dragatsis of 
4Joliet, who passed away on February 21, 2018; and
  
 
5    WHEREAS, Chris Dragatsis was born in Joliet to proud Greek 
6immigrants Mathew and Anastasia (Naphliotou) Dragatsis on July 
731, 1930; he graduated from Joliet Township High School and 
8received an associate's degree from Joliet Junior College; he 
9joined the United States Army and served in Korea, first in the 
10Tank Company 129 Infantry Division 23rd Regiment; he was a 
11First Lieutenant from 1953 until 1955; and
  
 
12    WHEREAS, After his honorable discharge from the Army, Chris 
13Dragatsis returned to Joliet where he worked at Blockson 
14Chemical and later at Olin Matheson; in 1962, he began his 
15career in the insurance industry with new England Financial; he 
16retired in 2004; during his working years, he also owned Frosty 
17Tips Ice Cream stores, Hoffman Glass, and The Joliet Donut 
18Company; he was also one of the original partners in the 
19Shorewood Shopping Center, and he developed several 
20residential apartment complexes throughout Joliet; and
  
 
21    WHEREAS, Chris Dragatsis was well known for his love of the 
22City of Joliet and was inspired to make Joliet a great place to 
 
 
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1live, work, and enjoy its culture; he helped with many 
2community projects, including the campaign to "Save the 
3Rialto," which helped bring the theater under public ownership 
4and avoid demolition, and "Save Central," which prevented the 
5closing of Joliet Central; he was instrumental in the 
6reconstruction of the downtown library and also helped to 
7develop the library branch on Black Road; and
  
 
8    WHEREAS, Chris Dragatsis was honored with many awards, 
9including the Joliet/Will County Project Pride Award in 2014; 
10one of his most memorable and well-deserved events was being 
11selected for Honor Flight Chicago in 2016; and
  
 
12    WHEREAS, Chris Dragatsis was a lifelong and devoted member 
13of All Saints Greek Orthodox Church, where he served on the 
14parish council; he was a member of numerous organizations, 
15including Ahepa, where he was a past President; and the Mykonos 
16Society, where he was an honorary member; and
  
 
17    WHEREAS, Chris Dragatsis was preceded in death by his 
18parents and his wife, Mary (Kallas) Dragatsis; and
  
 
19    WHEREAS, Chris Dragatsis is survived by his children, Ann 
20Dragatsis, Stacey Dragatsis Neese, Mathew (Evelyn) Dragatsis, 
21and James (Stephanie) Dragatsis; his grandchildren, 
22Christopher and Kyle Neese, Christo and Marine Dragatsis, and 
 
 
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1Anastasia, Alexa, and Caroline Dragatsis; his sister, 
2Katherine (Dragatsis) Deimer; his many nieces and nephews; his 
3great-nieces, great-nephews; and his great-great-niece and 
4nephew; therefore, be it
  
 
5    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDREDTH GENERAL 
6ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of 
7Christo Mathew "Chris" Dragatsis and extend our sincere 
8condolences to his family, friends, and all who knew and loved 
9him; and be it further
  
 
10    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be 
11presented to the family of Chris Dragatsis as an expression of 
12our deepest sympathy.