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1
SENATE RESOLUTION

  
 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to 
3learn of the death of Peter Dennis "Pete" Valek, who passed 
4away on November 1, 2019; and
  
 
5    WHEREAS, Pete Valek was born in Joliet to Peter and Ann 
6(Hertko) Valek on March 1, 1941; he attended Saints Cyril and 
7Methodius Grade School and graduated from Joliet Catholic High 
8School in 1959; he married Judy Bock on June 26, 1965; and
  
 
9    WHEREAS, Pete Valek had a long and successful career as a 
10chemist and environmental safety and health manager, spanning 
11five decades at the former Stauffer Chemical Plant in Joliet; 
12and
 
13    WHEREAS, Pete Valek was a founding and very proud member of 
14the Young Athletic Men of Middle America, a group whose 
15membership covered the few blocks around the old east side 
16neighborhood and produced lifelong friendships and dear 
17memories; he was an active member and parent at Saint Patrick's 
18Church and School; he volunteered countless hours as coach, 
19parish council member, and athletic board member and for 
20numerous other duties; most recently, he was a member of the 
21Moran Athletic Club and the East Side Knights of Columbus; and
 
 
 
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1    WHEREAS, Pete Valek was affectionately known as  "Denny" or 
2"Buzzard"; he enjoyed family trips, especially to the Wisconsin 
3Dells; he and Judy loved to travel and visit national parks; he 
4enjoyed learning about history and the natural world; in 
5retirement, he took up gardening, puttering  around the house, 
6and watching baseball, rooting for his favorite team, the 
7Yankees; and
  
 
  
8    WHEREAS, Pete Valek was preceded in death by his father, 
9Peter "Patsy" Valek; his  mother, Ann Valek; his brother, Paul 
10Valek; his mother-in-law, Marguerite Bock; his  brother-in-law, 
11John Bock;  and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, and dear 
12friends; and
  
 
13    WHEREAS, Pete Valek is survived by his wife of 54 years, 
14Judy; his children, Peter (Barb), Matthew (Suzy), and Eve 
15(Paul) Garcia; his grandchildren, Nicole, Emma, Ariana, 
16Nicholas, Olivia, Anna, Elijah, and Ruby; his 
17great-grandchildren, Blake and Jack; his brothers, Bernie 
18(Elba) and Ray (Jeanette); and many nieces, nephews, cousins, 
19and friends; therefore, be it
  
 
20    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED FIRST GENERAL 
21ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of 
22Peter Dennis "Pete" Valek and extend our sincere condolences to 
23his family, friends, and all who knew and loved him; and be it 
 
 
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1further
  
 
2    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be 
3presented to  the family of  Pete Valek as an expression of our 
4deepest sympathy.