SR0516 99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0516 LRB099 12248 GRL 35119 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Joseph P. Colgan of Wyoming, Illinois, who passed away on April 28, 2015; and

WHEREAS, Joseph Colgan was born on September 24, 1913 in Wyoming, Illinois; his parents were John I. Colgan and Sophia Frances (nee Coyle); he married Majella Harty on May 25, 1940 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Kinsman; and

WHEREAS, Joseph Colgan attended Wyoming schools and graduated as valedictorian of Wyoming High School in 1931; he subsequently attended St. Bede Academy in Peru and St. Ambrose College in Davenport, Iowa; and

WHEREAS, Joseph Colgan began his career as a farmhand at home and as a store clerk at Johnson's Drugstore during his high school years; after college, during the Great Depression, he worked 4 years as a clerk at the John Deere farm implement business in Wyoming; he was then recruited to be a regional sales representative for the John Deere Company, working for 10 years covering central Illinois; in 1947, he returned to Wyoming to purchase and manage the John Deere dealership; his Colgan Company implement business served area farmers for 40 years and sold and constructed Behlen grain bins; he was later joined in business by his son, Tim, who succeeded him as the dealer; and

WHEREAS, Joseph Colgan was a member of St. Dominic Catholic Church, where he served as a lector, Eucharistic minister, and cemetery trustee; he was a member of the Knights of Columbus for 76 years, attaining the 4th Degree and Grand Knight levels; he was a 67-year charter member and former president of the Wyoming Lions Club; he also served as a Wyoming Fire District trustee, a Chamber of Commerce member, and a member of the Stark County Heart Association, the Health Improvement Association, the Crop Extension Resource Development Council, and the Soil and Water Conservation District; and

WHEREAS, Joseph Colgan enjoyed spending time with his family and friends, sharing amusing stories, helping others, reading, travel, and the Chicago Cubs; and

WHEREAS, Joseph Colgan was preceded in death by his parents; 4 siblings, (Germaine) Sr. Maurita, O.P. (Sinsinawa Dominicans), John E. "Manny," Mary Gasperich, and Peter James "Jim" Colgan; and a grandson, Daniel J. Gill; and

WHEREAS, Joseph Colgan is survived by his wife of 75 years, Majella; 12 children, Judy (Bob) Curran, Joanne (Gene) Gill, Pat, Tim (Patty), Colleen Colgan, Paul (Phyllis), Philip (Geol Weirs), Jane (John) Francis, Susan (Ken) Knapp, Marty (Sue), Greg, and Tom (Gloria); 22 grandchildren; 34 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews; therefore, be it

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

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Joseph Colgan as an expression of our sympathy.