SR0501 97TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0501 LRB097 16491 KXB 61659 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Joseph Gutierrez of Joliet, who passed away on September 20, 2011; and

WHEREAS, He was born December 17, 1921 in Temple, Texas; he graduated from Joliet Township High School class of 1940; he was a veteran of World War II, serving in the 5th Army Air Corps in the South Pacific; and

WHEREAS, He was a life member of V.F.W. Cantigny Post #367, American Legion Harwood Post #5, a Founder of American Legion Post #1284, and a member of the Loyal Order of Moose Lodge #300; and

WHEREAS, Following his tour of duty, he returned to Joliet and formed Joey's Latin Combo; he was a member of many orchestras and bands including the Joliet Symphony Orchestra, Joliet Symphonetts, the Bicentennial Park Pops Orchestra, a founding member of the American Legion Band, a 20-year member of the Lewis Symphony, a 21-year member of the Joliet Junior College Band, and he played with the Mariachi Potosino for 20 years; he was a member of the American Federations of Musicians for over 50 years; and

WHEREAS, He was the first bugler at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery; he volunteered at the Will County Health Center as a translator; along with his siblings he volunteered for mission trips with Eye Care International; he was retired from Commonwealth Edison Braidwood Nuclear Power; he was a charter member of Judson Memorial Baptist Church; he was a founder of the Ceco Recreation Club; and he was also an avid sportsman who enjoyed fishing, hunting, the White Sox, and the Bears; and

WHEREAS, He was preceded in death by his loving wife, Genevieve R. Gutierrez (nee Smeets); his son, Ron; and his parents, Natividad and Felipa Gutierrez; and

WHEREAS, Joseph Gutierrez was the beloved father of Rick Gutierrez, Karyn Benson, Sharon McDonald, and Kimberly (Jay) Creasey; he was the loving grandfather of Michael, Matthew, Maitlyn Creasey, Melissa (Steve) Breen, Kristen (Al) Dominguez, Jeffrey (Ashley) Benson, Amanda (Gary) Birnbaum, and Jason Olivera; he also had 11 great-grandchildrenp; he leaves to cherish his memory his brothers and sisters, Hope Angeles, David (Carmen) Gutierrez, Carmela Camarena, Tony (Dorathy) Gutierrez, Jesse (Donna) Gutierrez, Robert (Barbara) Gutierrez, Rachel Prado, and Dr. Daniel (Barbara) Gutierrez; he is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins; therefore, be it

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

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