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1
SENATE RESOLUTION

  
 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to 
3learn of the death of Bernard Paul "Bernie" Kopitar of Crystal 
4Lake, who passed away on July 12, 2015; and
  
 
5    WHEREAS, Bernie Kopitar was born in Chicago on August 11, 
61926 to Frank and Julia (nee Heisen) Kopitar; he attended St. 
7Aloysius Grade School and Crane High School, where he 
8participated in the ROTC program; upon graduation in 1944, he 
9attended Michigan State University as part of the Army 
10Specialized Training Program, followed by training in Biloxi, 
11Mississippi and Langley Field in Virginia as an aviation 
12machinist; he was discharged from the United States Air Force 
13in 1947 after serving a year in Panama; and
  
 
14    WHEREAS, Bernie Kopitar's career as a carpenter and 
15construction superintendent spanned over 40 years, including 
16employment with Carp Construction, Soberg & Sullivan, and 
17Trapani Construction; and
  
 
18    WHEREAS, Bernie Kopitar's hobbies were reading history and 
19wartime books, woodworking and model building, swimming at the 
20HealthBridge Fitness Center, and even most recently, weekly 
21pinochle games at Senior Services in Crystal Lake; he was an 
22avid Chicago sports fan; he and his wife enjoyed their love of 
 
 
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1dancing and took numerous vacations throughout their years in 
2Arlington Heights and Crystal Lake; they were long-time members 
3of St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church; and
  
 
4    WHEREAS, Bernie Kopitar was preceded in death by his wife 
5of 64 years, Marie; his parents; and his sister, Wilma; and
  
 
6    WHEREAS, Bernie Kopitar is survived by his daughters, Julie 
7(Martin) Tampa and Madelyn (Tim) Wild; his grandchildren, 
8Gregory, Anthony, Rachel (Nick), Emily, and Jenny; and his 
9sister, Helen (Richard) Gerlach; therefore, be it
  
 
10    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-NINTH GENERAL 
11ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of 
12Bernard Paul "Bernie" Kopitar, and extend our sincere 
13condolences to his family, friends, and all who knew and loved 
14him; and be it further
  
 
15    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be 
16presented to  the family of  Bernie Kopitar as an expression of 
17our deepest sympathy.