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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.