SR0612 104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0612 LRB104 20722 LAW 34225 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Thomas "Tom" Friye of Quincy, who passed away on January 31, 2026; and

WHEREAS, Tom Friye, the son of Ted and Glenora (Heubner) Friye, was born in Quincy on January 31, 1942; he attended St. Francis Grade School and graduated from Christian Brothers Catholic High School in 1960; he also took classes at Iowa State University to become a registered landscape architect; he married Nancy Bardon at St. John Catholic Church on October 8, 1966; and

WHEREAS, Tom Friye briefly worked for Grieving Sheet-Metal before joining Hamann Florist, where he worked for 10 years; he began working for Bergman Nurseries in January 1971 and stayed for 28 years; he and his three sons purchased Bergman Nurseries from the Bergman family in 1999, which became a highlight of his career; he was well-known in and around the Quincy area for his artistic and design abilities in landscape architecture, and after 41 years in the landscaping business, he retired in June 2012; and

WHEREAS, Tom Friye served on numerous local boards and organizations, including the Quincy Roman Catholic Cemetery Board for over 30 years, the Quincy Tree Commission, and the Quincy Notre Dame High School (QND) Board of Directors; he also coached baseball through the Quincy Park District for many years; and

WHEREAS, Tom Friye thoroughly enjoyed following all of his sons' sports and school activities, and he was passionate about QND sports; he and his wife enjoyed traveling, going on many wonderful trips with his sister and brother-in-law, Carolyn and Denny Lubbe, as well as vacations with his lifelong friends, Tom and Shirley Kane; he also enjoyed hunting and fishing with family and friends; and

WHEREAS, Tom Friye was a steadfast husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather; and

WHEREAS, Tom Friye was preceded in death by his parents; his in-laws, Harold and Alvera Bardon; and his brothers-in-law, Bruce Bardon and Roger Bockhaus; and

WHEREAS, Tom Friye is survived by his wife of 59 years, Nancy; his sons, Todd (Dee) Friye, Travis (Pam) Friye, and Trevor (April) Friye; seven grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; his sister, Carolyn (Denny) Lubbe; his sister-in-law, Barbara Bardon Bockhaus; and numerous nieces and nephews; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Thomas "Tom" Friye and extend our sincere condolences to his family, friends, and all who knew and loved him; and be it further

RESOLVED, That suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Tom Friye as an expression of our deepest sympathy.