SR0103 101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0103 LRB101 05207 MST 50848 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Edward Hegarty on October 20, 2018 at the age of 89; and

WHEREAS, Edward Hegarty was born and raised in Chicago; during high school, he delivered gas bills and read gas meters; he walked his route and, at one point, his territory was along a nearly six-mile route on Wabansia Avenue from Western Avenue all the way to Harlem Avenue; because of this, he could tell you from memory where almost any address in the city was located; and

WHEREAS, Edward Hegarty always had music as part of his life; he played accordion for many years and was a contestant on a radio show in the mid-1940s; he received both his B.A. and his M.A. in music education from the Chicago Musical College, a part of Roosevelt University; he directed and sang in the church choir at St. Angela Church in Chicago; he also sang with the Tower Chorale, where he was known for being a "linchpin in the chorus who was never without a smile"; and

WHEREAS, Edward Hegarty married Mary Frances Mulhern in 1953; they enjoyed traveling and took their 11 children on yearly summer camping trips, visiting just about every state and national park between Illinois and the West Coast; in retirement, they took pleasure in their international travel; and

WHEREAS, Edward Hegarty began a career in education in the 1960s, teaching driver's education, various subjects in the upper grades, and later becoming an assistant principal; in 1964, he was appointed to his first principalship; he was principal of three different schools, with Michael Faraday School being his last and longest assignment at 22 years; he retired in 1990, but he happily kept in touch with fellow educators and gathered with them socially over the years; and

WHEREAS, Edward Hegarty was noted for being "a connoisseur of fine wine and classical music" who enjoyed and attended many performances of the Lyric Opera of Chicago; during retirement, he expanded his piano technique by taking private piano lessons until the end of his life; he played in many recitals over the years, with the most recent one being just a month before his passing; and

WHEREAS, Edward Hegarty volunteered for many years at the Oak Park Arms to assist residents with their taxes; he also kept his mind active by doing crossword puzzles, Sudoku, and by memorizing long pieces of piano music; he also remained physically active, taking deep-water aerobics classes at the YMCA; and

WHEREAS, Edward and Mary Frances Hegarty recently celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary; they were longtime members of St. Giles Catholic Church and put their faith and family at the center of their lives; and

WHEREAS, Edward Hegarty is survived by his beloved wife, Mary Frances; his children, Maureen (Dan) Kruszynski, RoseAnn (Jim) Vonesh, Kathleen (Robert) Burdett, Edward (Cindy), Michael (Diane), Mary Pat (the late Joe) Williams, Daniel, Patrick (Catherine), Mary Rose (Gerard) Crimmins, Terrence, and Christopher (Amy Nelson); his grandchildren, Megan and Jim (Kristina) Vonesh; Victoria, Diane (Brian) Bell, and Natalie Burdett; Naomi and Aidan Hegarty; Logan and Tristan Williams; Ryan and Shannon Hegarty; Erica and Stephanie Hegarty; and Jared and Christopher Crimmins; he was also the great-grandfather of Matthew, Caileigh, Grace, Sammy, and Allison and Kaylan, Lia, Myles, and Neo; he was brother of Patricia (Richard) Sharp and the late Ann (James) Malone and Mary Rose Hegarty; as well as the uncle and great-uncle of many; 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 Edward Hegarty, 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 Edward Hegarty as an expression of our deepest sympathy.