HR1302 97TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR1302 LRB097 23469 MST 72397 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are deeply saddened to learn of the death of Thomas E. Harrington, Sr. of Champaign, who passed away on August 8, 2012; and

WHEREAS, Thomas Harrington, Sr. was born on March 2, 1931, in Urbana to Earl C. and Genevieve E. Harrington; he attended Holy Cross School and Champaign High School and graduated in 1949 as a member of the class known as the "49ers"; he graduated from the University of Illinois in 1953 and from the University of Illinois College of Law School in 1955; he married Andrea Gunn on August 21, 1954, in Danville; and

WHEREAS, Thomas Harrington, Sr. started his law career in 1955 by joining Busch and Harrington; he was appointed Champaign County Public Defender in 1957 and served until 1959; he then returned to Busch and Harrington and served them for over 50 years; through the years he worked with his father Earl, a founding partner, his brother Kenny, his son Dan, and his grandsons Patrick and Andrew; and

WHEREAS, Thomas Harrington, Sr. was active in the business community throughout his career, helping to shape the community; he was active in numerous charitable causes including St. Matthew Catholic Church; he served as lead fundraiser for the School of St. Thomas More, where the school gymnasium was named in his honor; he was made a Knight of St. Gregory by the Vatican; he served on the Carle Foundation Board of Trustees from 1988 to 1997, acting as chairman from 1991 to 1993; and

WHEREAS, Thomas Harrington, Sr. was an honorary varsity "I" Man recipient in 1989 and was an Illini fan all his life; he was an avid Cubs fan, honeymooning at Wrigley Field and celebrating his 50th wedding anniversary there years later; he loved golfing with his family and friends and was at home at both Champaign Country Club, where he served as president in 1971, and Pine Tree Golf Club in Boynton Beach, Florida, again serving as president in 1983; and

WHEREAS, Thomas Harrington, Sr. was preceded in death by his parents, Earl and Genevieve Harrington; his in-laws, W. Kenneth Porter and Leta Porter; and his sister, Sister Teresa Ann Harrington OSB; and

WHEREAS, Thomas Harrington, Sr. is survived by his wife, Andrea; his sons, Tom Harrington Jr. (Barb), Dan Harrington (Marianne), Tim Harrington (Kris), and Steve Harrington (Lee); his grandchildren, Elizabeth Wellman (Rob), Thomas E. Harrington III, Patrick Harrington, Andrew Harrington (Emily), Danielle Bender (Ryan), Blakely Harrington, Richard Harrington, Jack Harrington, Joe Harrington, Genevieve Harrington, Kassie Jones, Kyler Jones, Amelia Harrington, Michael Harrington, Hannah Jane Harrington, and Katherine Harrington; and his brother and sister, Donald J. Porter and Peggy Porter; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-SEVENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the death of Thomas Harrington, Sr., and we extend our sincere condolences to his family, friends, and all who knew and love him; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Thomas Harrington, Sr. as an expression of our deepest sympathy.