SR0538 101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0538 LRB101 12918 ALS 61753 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Alvin Fitzgerald Cunningham, who passed away on May 26, 2019; and

WHEREAS, Alvin Fitzgerald was born in Waukegan to Mary Ross Cunningham and Johnie Simmons Jr. on December 13, 1969; he was baptized at Antioch Baptist Church in Waukegan under Pastor W.H. McIntosh at the age of ten; there, he served as a junior usher; he was educated in the Waukegan Public School System and graduated from Waukegan East High School in 1989; affectionately known as the "Comic" in high school, he participated in several sports, including track, basketball, and football, as well as JROTC; he expressed his musical talent by playing the flute in the Waukegan High School Band; the value of hard work was instilled in him at an early age; he had a paper route with the News Sun, was a golf caddy for Glenbrook Country Club, and worked at Pete's Fruit Market in Waukegan; and

WHEREAS, In 1989, Alvin Fitzgerald enlisted in the United States Army, where he served as a Light Wheel Mechanic; while serving in the military, he was assigned to Bravo Company 706th Maintenance/6th Infantry Division (Light) Pacific, Fort Wainwright, Alaska; upon discharge, he returned to Waukegan, where he briefly worked for the Lake County Recorder of Deeds before beginning his career in the hospitality industry; he worked in the hospitality industry for many years before relocating to Tallahassee, Florida to serve as the Regional District Manager for Red Roof Inn, a position he held until his death; and

WHEREAS, Alvin Fitzgerald enjoyed fishing, barbecuing, riding motorcycles, watching the West Virginia Mountaineers football team, spending time with family and friends, music, and his pet reptiles; he was always the life of the party and especially enjoyed participating in several fundraisers for the Lupus Foundation of America; and

WHEREAS, Alvin Cunningham was preceded in death by his father, Johnie Simmons Jr; his maternal and paternal grandparents, Ollis Sr. and Lorena Ross and Johnie Simmons Sr. and Julia Harris; and many maternal aunts, uncles, and family members; and

WHEREAS, Alvin Cunningham is survived by his mother, Mary Ross-Cunningham; his daughters, LeKeshia Lynn Cunningham, Ashlee Katherine Lorena Cunningham, and Aareania Robertson-Cunningham; his son, Anthony Cunningham; his brothers, Reverend Dr. Emerson (Lillian) Ross, Mayor Sam Cunningham, Levi (Millicent) Finch, Alonzo (Chetara) Jenkins, and Johnie Simmons III; his sisters, Jackie (Wayne) Bailey, Asia Simmons, and Regina Bruno; his aunts, Mary Hill, Vera Polk, Dorothy Dickson, Eleanor (Larry) Hurt-Johnson, Gloria Rice, Wynona (Judge) Booker, and Ruth Jackson; his uncles, Eugene Ross, Forest (Dorothy) Ross, James (Ann) Ross, and Lorenza (Jennifer) Beville-Ross; his godsisters, Crystal Handy-Allen and Sonia Pipes; his godbrother, Jeremiah Norwood; his special friends, Milton, Hector, and Charles Rodriguez, Lance Handy, Jerome Adams, Sam Dotson III, and Darrin Davis Jr; several close-knit cousins, nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends; 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 Alvin Fitzgerald Cunningham 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 Alvin Cunningham as an expression of our deepest sympathy.