SR2230 100TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR2230 LRB100 24314 MST 43599 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Edward M. "Ed" Czerkies of Joliet, who passed away on November 16, 2018; and

WHEREAS, Ed Czerkies was born in the back seat of the family car on the way to Silver Cross Hospital in 1937 to Mary (Sowa) and Michael Czerkies; he attended St. Thaddeus Elementary School and graduated from Joliet Central High School in 1955; he earned his way through college working construction for his older brother and graduated with a degree in education from Northern Illinois University; and

WHEREAS, Ed Czerkies became a substitute teacher at Joliet Central, Joliet West, Providence Catholic, and Lockport High School; his passion for construction drove him to open Czerkies Construction in 1959; over the next 40 years, he poured many sidewalks and driveways, built many homes, and worked on several industrial facilities within Joliet, Shorewood, Lockport, and Plainfield; and

WHEREAS, Ed Czerkies married Carolyn in 1965; together they acquired various industrial, commercial, and agricultural properties throughout Illinois; in 1998, he began what he said was the most important job of his life, being a full-time caregiver to Carolyn; and

WHEREAS, Ed Czerkies made several contributions to various educational, healthcare, and charitable institutions, including the Mayo Clinic as a principal benefactor, the International Myeloma Foundation, Silver Cross Hospital, the Presence St. Joseph Medical Center, the Joliet Junior College Scholarship Fund, the Will County Children's Advocacy Center, the Will-Grundy Medical Clinic, the Cathedral of St. Raymond, the Holy Family Parish, and countless others; and

WHEREAS, Ed Czerkies was a proud member of several organizations throughout the area, including the Joliet Region Chamber of Commerce, the Midland States Bank Advisory Board, and the Woodedcreek Homeowners Association; and

WHEREAS, Ed Czerkies was honored with the 2017 Joliet Region Chamber of Commerce and Industry's Lifetime Achievement Award, the 2018 Joliet Junior College's Distinguished Alumni Achievement Award, the Silver Cross's 2018 Sangmeister Medal of Excellence for Community Service, and the Presence St. Joseph Medical Center's 2018 Founders' Award; and

WHEREAS, Ed Czerkies enjoyed golfing, fishing, hunting, traveling, and playing the slots; he cherished his time spent with his grandchildren, including waterpark adventures and watching them play sports; and

WHEREAS, Ed Czerkies was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Carolyn (Zupancic); an infant brother; his brothers, Joe and Pete; and his sisters, Helen Bolek and Sophie Bajt; and

WHEREAS, Ed Czerkies is survived by his sisters, Olga Schmidt and Jennie Koerner; his sons, Craig (Bonny), David (Sandra), and Scott (Laura); his grandchildren, Lanie, Miles, Charlie, Cole, Louie, Jack, and Drake; his dear companion, Arlene Plese; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDREDTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Edward M. "Ed" Czerkies 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 Ed Czerkies as an expression of our deepest sympathy.