SR0427 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0427 LRB103 33751 ECR 63565 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Vincent J. Speranza of Auburn, who passed away on August 2, 2023; and

WHEREAS, Vincent Speranza was born to Francesco and Francesca (Perratori) Speranza in Manhattan, New York on March 23, 1925; he enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1943 and fought with the H Company, 501 PIR, 101st Airborne Division in the European Theater in the Battle of the Bulge during World War II; he married Iva Leftwich in New York in 1948; and

WHEREAS, Vincent Speranza taught history at Curtis High School; he served as a union representative for the Illinois Education Association as well as several labor unions in Springfield from 1971 to 1980; and

WHEREAS, Vincent Speranza wrote a memoir about his World War II experience and participated in numerous speaking engagements for veterans and active military groups; and

WHEREAS, Vincent Speranza enjoyed life and traveled extensively in his last decade, making many new friends; he loved sharing stories, playing his harmonica, and singing songs, many times with an accompanying scotch and a cigar; and

WHEREAS, Vincent Speranza was preceded in death by his wife and his daughter, Susan Erwin Pietrangelo; and

WHEREAS, Vincent Speranza is survived by his son, Vince (Tracy) Speranza; his daughter, Kathy (Jim) Wilson; his grandchildren; his great-grandchildren; his sisters, Rosemarie Rich and Connie Beer; and his brother, Al Speranza; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Vincent J. Speranza 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 Vincent Speranza as an expression of our deepest sympathy.