SR0121 102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0121 LRB102 17318 ECR 22804 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Louis "Louie" Joseph Smarjesse, who passed away on February 12, 2021; and

WHEREAS, Louie Smarjesse was born to Rose and John Smarjesse on October 3, 1932; he attended St. Peter and Paul School; he left Cathedral High School early to join the U.S. Army, where he finished his schooling and served on Okinawa during the Korean War; he scored so well on Army tests that he was placed in Intelligence and Reconnaissance; and

WHEREAS, Louie Smarjesse had many jobs, including managing the Kinney shoe store on the square in Springfield and the one in Lafayette, Indiana; he moved furniture for a local store, worked at a meat plant, and tended bar, all at the same time; he also sold cars for Friendly Chevrolet, worked as a common laborer, sold life insurance, and collected for All Star Music; and

WHEREAS, Louie Smarjesse's true passion was in hospitality and, specifically, bartending; he owned the memorable Supper Club, the Sand Bar, and Griff's Tavern and co-owned the Blue Moon with his brother Bob; he also managed The Sportsman, where he fed the piranhas; he bartended in 23 restaurants and bars, including Milano's, the Abe Lincoln Hotel, Mansion View, the Governor's Mansion for Governor Walker, Robin Hood, Par-a-dice, Village Pump in Indianapolis, Flaming Pit, Don Henry's, Harness House, Ideal Lounge, Rosalie's Place, D & J's, Dicenso's Black Angus, Ember's, George Rank's, Ben's Place, Top of the Arch, Lake Club, Governor Hotel, Oak Crest Country Club, John's Lounge, and the Brass Rail; he is best known for the many years he worked at Gabatoni's; and

WHEREAS, Louie Smarjesse had wonderful stories and loved to make others happy; he and his wife traveled to Ireland, Costa Rica, and most states, and twice enjoyed two-week sailing cruises in the Caribbean and weeks on the island of St. John; and

WHEREAS, Louie Smarjesse was preceded in death by his son, Paul Smarjesse, and his grandson, Ronald Mohan Jr.; and

WHEREAS, Louie Smarjesse is survived by his wife of 50 years, Susan Hummel Smarjesse; his two former wives; his children, Mike (Rhonda) Smarjesse, Karen (Charlie) Hitt, Patricia (Ramon) Perez, Janet (John Henrikson) Rawlings, Kelly (Trevor) Smarjesse-Miller, Anna (Bob Shaver) Neumann, and Charly (Nancy Barnick) Smarjesse; his grandchildren, Nick, Jake, Mike, Matt, Noah, Ben, and Johnny Smarjesse, Reid Hitt, Andy Rawlings, Rachel Hammann, Lindsay Sullivan, Chon Nguyen, Tara Carey, Emme Neumann, Bronte Smarjesse, and Hallie Miller; and his brother, Bob Smarjesse and his children, Tony Smarjesse, Teri Mulvey, and Tami Savage; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED SECOND GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Louis "Louie" Joseph Smarjesse 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 Louie Smarjesse as an expression of our deepest sympathy.