SJ0082 93RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SJ0082 LRB093 22206 HSS 51588 r

SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Senate of the State of Illinois were saddened to learn of the passing of Thomas J. Tarpey Sr., Mayor and retired Chief of Police for the Village of River Grove on May 7, 2004; and

WHEREAS, Tom Tarpey was the son of the late William and Nora (Sharkey) Tarpey and the loving husband of the late Barbara (Butler) and brother of the late Margaret; and

WHEREAS, Tom Tarpey began his service to River Grove in his early twenties, serving as a part-time policeman, and eventually moving to full-time in the department where he reached the rank of Chief of Police; and

WHEREAS, Tom Tarpey, who had gained insight to the needs and concerns of the Village's residents through his years on the street, was elected Mayor in 1985; and

WHEREAS, Tom Tarpey was a people's Mayor, waving as he passed, stopping to talk to people on the street, willing to listen to both praise and complaints, and always trying to find a workable solution; and

WHEREAS, Tom Tarpey was the Village's longest serving Mayor, during which time the Village prospered, improvements were made, and the people came together because they once again felt part of the community; and

WHEREAS, Tom Tarpey's passing was deeply felt by many, especially his children, Shawn and son-in-law Brian Campbell, Thomas Jr. and daughter-in-law Alyssa, John and daughter-in-law Gina, and Chrissy and son-in-law Michael Stamm; his mother-in-law, Valeria Butler; his cherished grandchildren, Thomas III, Brian Jr., Cassidy, Molly, Connor, Johnny, Andrew, William, Michael, and Kyle; his brothers, William Jr., Robert and sister-in-law Beverly, Gerald and sister-in-law Donna, and James; his sisters, Eleanor and brother-in-law Don Kraft, Noreen and brother-in-law Larry Waco; and his many nieces and nephews, and the residents of the Village of River Grove; and

WHEREAS, In addition to his wife and sister, he was preceded in death by his sisters-in-law, Mary and Theresa; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING HEREIN, that we mourn the death of Thomas J. Tarpey Sr. along with all who knew and loved him and extend our sincere condolences to his family and friends; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Thomas J. Tarpey Sr. as an expression of our sorrow for their loss.