SR0789 102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0789 LRB102 20939 ECR 29830 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Joseph "Joe" Miller Jr. of Maywood, who passed away on March 6, 2020; and

WHEREAS, Joe Miller was born to Joseph Miller Sr. and Anne Dorsey in Chicago on May 9, 1949; and

WHEREAS, Joe Miller's soaring intellect enabled him to skip a grade and graduate from Crane High School in 1966 at 16 years of age; as the years went on, he kept in touch with childhood friends from Chicago's Westside; and

WHEREAS, One such friend, author Mark Boone, sought Joe Miller's advice on a manuscript for a novel, which was later published as Reunion; and

WHEREAS, Joe Miller married Mary Frances Hamer on August 31, 1968, and their union lasted 51 years; and

WHEREAS, Joe Miller earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Roosevelt University; he instilled the importance of education in his children whose professional accomplishments include partner status at a law firm and serving in the position of Head of Diversity and Inclusion at Ferrara Candy; and

WHEREAS, Joe Miller worked at Chicago and North Western Railroad for 25 years until a 1995 acquisition by Union Pacific; he then turned his attention to real estate as a licensed agent and appraiser; and

WHEREAS, Joe Miller gladly lent his professional expertise to family members once they decided to purchase their first homes; he even taught a course in real estate appraisal at Triton College in River Grove; and

WHEREAS, Joe Miller was a dedicated telephile and cinephile; his top ten picks included Breaking Bad, Criminal Minds, Empire, Game of Thrones, The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly, Power, Pulp Fiction, Sanford & Son, The Witcher, and Tombstone; and

WHEREAS, Joe Miller's capacity for strategic thinking enabled him to excel in games of chess and solitaire, and he passed these playing skills to his children and grandchildren; and

WHEREAS, One of Joe Miller's favorite clothing accessories was a gentleman's cap, which he sometimes color coordinated with outfits; and

WHEREAS, Joe Miller was always open and willing to give life advice to those who sought it; his answers were usually prefaced by the phrase "If I were you"; his quotes were classic and sometimes humorous, and he always elicited respect from his audience; and

WHEREAS, Joe Miller's favorite vacation destination was Las Vegas; he visited the city almost every year after his 20th wedding anniversary; and

WHEREAS, Joe Miller was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph Sr. and Anne, and his sister, Patricia; and

WHEREAS, Joe Miller, who was affectionately known as Papa Joe and Uncle Joe, is survived by his wife, Mary Frances; his stepmother, Marian; his children, Tobi, Joseph III (Lynne), and Natasha (Jamel); his sister, TaLana (Harry); his grandchildren, Evan, Sebastian, Jalen, Andrew, and Shawn; and his countless adoring nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends; 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 Joseph "Joe" Miller Jr. 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 Joe Miller as an expression of our deepest sympathy.