SR0389 96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0389 LRB096 14445 KXB 29270 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Frank Roman Pitol of Collinsville, who passed away on August 22, 2009; and

WHEREAS, Frank Roman Pitol was born on November 10, 1929, in Collinsville; his teaching and coaching career began in 1954 in Mascoutah, at the junior high and elementary schools; he retired from the Collinsville Unit 10 School District in 1992; and

WHEREAS, From 1943-1947 he attended Collinsville Township High School (now Collinsville High School), where he lettered in football, baseball, and basketball; after graduation he attended Eastern Illinois University from 1947-1951, where he received his Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Education and a Master of Arts degree in Secondary Education and excelled in athletics as a member of the football, basketball, and track teams; he was selected to try out for the Los Angeles Rams pro football team but was simultaneously drafted into the army during the Korean Conflict; and

WHEREAS, He later returned to school and earned a second Master of Arts degree in Secondary School Administration from Southern Illinois University in Edwardsville; and married his college sweetheart, Patricia Jane Stanley, on June 12, 1954 in Grayville; and

WHEREAS, He was baptized in the United Church of Christ in Mascoutah on December 25, 1954; he was a member of the Collinsville History Museum Board, and he was instrumental in the creation of the new museum building; he was a member of the American Legion Post 365 and of the Illinois Retired Teachers Association; while in Mascoutah he was a member of the Lions Club and served as their president for one year; and

WHEREAS, He was a founder and organizer of the Holiday Basketball Tournament in Collinsville, which began in 1984; he authored The Wonderful World of Collinsville Basketball, a complete history of Collinsville High School basketball from 1907 to 1976; he and his son, Scott, created and maintained the complementary website www.ballpress.com, which provides history and current information about Kahok basketball; and

WHEREAS, In addition, he received numerous awards and recognition for his dedication to high school athletics; he was named Illinois Athletic Director of the Year in 1987 and 1990; he was inducted into the Illinois Athletic Director's Association Hall of Fame in 1993; he was also inducted as a Friend into the Illinois Basketball Coaches' Hall of Fame; he was inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame at Eastern Illinois University; and

WHEREAS, He was preceded in death by his father and mother, Roman and Anna Pitol, nee Bursich; his wife of 52 years, Patricia (nee Stanley); his infant sister, Albina Pitol; his brother-in-law, Clarence Obernuefemann; and his sister-in-law, Edna Stanley; and

WHEREAS, Frank Roman Pitol is survived by his sons, Stanley Pitol and Scott Pitol (wife Christy); his daughter, Susan Pitol Stucco (husband Guido); his grandson, Aurelio Stucco; his three step-grandchildren, Giuliana Stucco, Michela Stucco, and Vittorio Stucco; his sister, Elsie Obernuefemann; his brother-in-law, Palmer Stanley; his numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, and the many friends, coaches, and students who were touched by his life and who loved and appreciated him; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn, along with his family and friends, the passing of Frank Pitol; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Frank Pitol as a symbol of our sincere sympathy.