SR0629 93RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0629 LRB093 22596 KEF 52179 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Senate of the State of Illinois were saddened to learn of the death of Frank H. Bellerive on May 29, 2004; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Bellerive was born and raised in Westmont; he was a 1953 graduate of Downers Grove High School; he later served in the United States Army's Artillery and Guided Missile Division, from which he was honorably discharged in 1962; and

WHEREAS, His ancestors were among the first to build homes in Westmont after it was incorporated in the 1920s, and his grandfather was the village's first barber; to carry on the tradition, he and his brother, Don, opened their own barber shop in Westmont in 1959; he worked there with his brother for 12 years and with his wife, Arlene, for 25 years; and

WHEREAS, From 1961 to 1969, Mr. Bellerive served as a trustee of the Village of Westmont; he was appointed to the Westmont Park Board in 1969; during his tenure on the board, which lasted until 1982, he was instrumental in making the Park District a full-time professional organization, while helping add parks and facilities; in 1983, he was again elected a village trustee and served until his election as mayor in 1985; while on the board, he persuaded farmers north of town to annex into the village; that land was developed into Oak Brook Hills Resort; and

WHEREAS, After stepping down as mayor in 1993, he decided to again serve as a Park District commissioner; after returning to the Park Board, he helped negotiate the purchase for what later became Ty Warner Park, a popular 36-acre outdoor recreation complex at Blackhawk Drive and Chestnut Street; he retired from public service in 2003; and

WHEREAS, He helped found the Westmont Chamber of Commerce and was known as the town historian; he was known as "Mr. Westmont" because of his many years of public service; the Westmont Park District honored him in 1993 by dedicating Bellerive Park on 63rd Street; and

WHEREAS, The passing of Frank H. Bellerive will be deeply felt by many, especially his wife of 34 years, Arlene; his four sons, Phillip, Tom, Steve Lillquist, and Dean Lillquist; his daughter, Elizabeth Provost; his brother, Don; and his eight grandchildren; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the death of Frank H. Bellerive 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 Frank H. Bellerive as an expression of our deepest sympathy.