SR2460 99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR2460 LRB099 24131 MST 51806 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of John J. Spillane, who passed away at the age of 52; and

WHEREAS, John Spillane was born on February 1, 1964 at Loretto Hospital in Chicago to Richard and Annette (Busse) Spillane, and moved immediately thereafter to Oak Park, where he would live, work, play and be of service the rest of his life; he was the third of the 11 children, seven boys and four girls, in the family; and

WHEREAS, John Spillane attended Ascension grade school, graduating in 1978, Oak Park River Forest High School, graduating in 1982, and the University of Illinois-Chicago, graduating in 1988 with a Bachelor of Science, having studied finance and management; he was a natural athlete, a wrestler, mathematician and carpenter, who apprenticed in carpentry at an early age with his grandfather, Raymond Busse; he also played trombone, including as the first chair at Ascension Grade School under orchestra conductor, Richard Ramey; he also worked as a home rehabber and carpenter with his father; and

WHEREAS, John Spillane suffered from epilepsy as a child and developed an empathy for people and animals in physical or emotional pain; and

WHEREAS, John Spillane was an accomplished wrestler and often protected and stood up for the weak, young, old, infirm, and the less fortunate; he was especially loved by the senior citizens of his community, in particular, Rose Breen, who was an Irish immigrant and a survivor of the Irish Potato Famine, and Dorothy Ross; he advocated successfully for 10 years to require that the utilities responsible for the environmental contamination of Barrie Park in Oak Park participate in the remediation of the park and surrounding homes; and

WHEREAS, John Spillane began his real estate career in 1999, partnering with his brother, William Spillane, to found Spillane Realty, and with his other brother, Joe Spillane, to rehab many Oak Park homes, always putting quality ahead of profits; he was a past-president of the Oak Park Board of Realtors and an award-winning Realtor with RE/MAX Realty; he was inducted into the RE/MAX Hall of Fame; he worked tirelessly to identify those properties which best suited his clients needs; and

WHEREAS, John Spillane was devoted to his wife, Karri, and his daughters, Samantha and Kaitlyn; he was an exuberant coach and fan of his daughters' soccer and softball teams and will be remembered as a husband and father who put his family ahead of his career; he greeted his daughters every day with "Good morning, Beautiful"; and

WHEREAS, John Spillane was known for his exuberance, humor, helpfulness, generosity, good nature, and conviction; he was an engaging and enthusiastic storyteller, always touting the strengths of others and remaining humble about his own achievements; and

WHEREAS, John Spillane was preceded in death by his beloved parents, Richard and Annette, and by his fellow wrestler and musician brother, Patrick; and

WHEREAS, John Spillane is survived by his wife, Karri (Compton); his daughters, Samantha Mary, and Kaitlyn Marie; his siblings, Mary Ellen Stauffenberg, Joseph (Kelly), Kathleen (Wesley) Helms, Susan (Jane) Larkin, Daniel (Betsy), Michael (Gretchen), William (Heidi), Mary Anne, and David (Patrick); his in-laws, Glenn and Nancy Compton; his brothers-in-law, Glenn (Mary Lou), and Gerry (Greta) Compton; and his many nieces, nephews, and friends; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of John Spillane, and extend our sincere condolences to his family, friends, and all who knew and loved him; and be it further

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