SR0914LRB098 20224 MST 55575 r

1
SENATE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to
3learn of the deaths of James, Sr. and Joan Simon, both of
4Bridgeview; and
 
5    WHEREAS, James Simon, Sr. was born in Chicago on April 19,
61933 to Steven and Rose Simon; in 1952, he married Joan
7Cochrane, who was born in Chicago on February 27, 1934 to
8William and Marie Cochrane; they settled in Bridgeview in 1953;
9and
 
10    WHEREAS, James Simon, Sr. began his career as a carpenter,
11but was called to create a better neighborhood for his
12community and children; together, he and Joan restarted Boy
13Scout Troop 13; they also founded the Bridgeview Park District
14in 1965, with James serving as its Parks Committee Chairman and
15Commissioner for 6 years; and
 
16    WHEREAS, Joan Simon obtained her bachelor's degree in
17Applied Behavioral Science from the National College of
18Education, while serving as the Bridgeview Park District
19Secretary and, along with James, Sr., founded the Bridgeview
20Public Library, where she served as a Trustee; she also served
21as Trustee for the Village of Bridgeview; and
 

 

 

SR0914- 2 -LRB098 20224 MST 55575 r

1    WHEREAS, Joan Simon developed a passion for education and
2obtained her master's degree in Adult and Continuing Education
3from National Louis University; she subsequently became an
4Executive Dean and Vice-President at Prairie State College in
5Chicago Heights; she retired in 1999; and
 
6    WHEREAS, James Simon, Sr. found himself called to public
7service again and helped establish Kids Safe City in
8Bridgeview, a nonprofit organization designed to teach
9children safety skills; he and Joan both served on the board of
10Kids Safe City for many years; and
 
11    WHEREAS, James, Sr. and Joan Simon loved to spend time with
12family and friends, host parties, and play cards; James, Sr.
13also enjoyed cooking and woodworking; Joan enjoyed arts and
14crafts and the theater; they devoted much of their time to
15helping others and their community in any way they could; and
 
16    WHEREAS, James, Sr. Simon passed away on June 22, 2012 and
17Joan Simon passed away on December 24, 2013; they were preceded
18in death by their parents; their son, Gary; James, Sr.'s
19brother, George; and Joan's brother, William; and
 
20    WHEREAS, James, Sr. and Joan Simon are survived by their
21children, James (Bridget) Simon, Jr. and Christy Simon (Stanley
22Wells); their daughter-in-law, Nancy Simon (Gary); James,

 

 

SR0914- 3 -LRB098 20224 MST 55575 r

1Sr.'s siblings, Steven (Linda) Simon and Thomas (Joan) Simon;
2Joan's brother, Richard (Marylou) Cochrane; their
3grandchildren, Eric (Kali) Simon, Lauren Simon, Rebecca
4(Timothy) Fuller, and Brian Simon; their great-grandchildren,
5Ember Simon and Aubrey Fuller; and their many nieces, nephews,
6cousins, and friends; therefore, be it
 
7    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-EIGHTH GENERAL
8ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of
9James, Sr. and Joan Simon, and we extend our sincere
10condolences to their family, friends, and all who knew and
11loved them; and be it further
 
12    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
13presented to the family of James, Sr. and Joan Simon as an
14expression of our deepest sympathy.