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1
SENATE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened
3to learn of the death of Richard "Dick" Versace, who passed
4away on February 25, 2022; and
 
5    WHEREAS, Dick Versace was born in Fort Bragg, North
6Carolina on April 16, 1940; he earned his bachelor's degree in
7Education from the University of Wisconsin in 1964; and
 
8    WHEREAS, Dick Versace coached at Forrest High School in
9Forrest, St. Joseph High School in Kenosha, Wisconsin, and
10finally at Gordon Tech High School in Chicago; he then entered
11the collegiate level, coaching at St. Louis University and
12Michigan State University, where he recruited future NBA star
13Magic Johnson; from there, he landed his first head coaching
14assignment at Jackson Community College; he is most notably
15remembered as head coach at Bradley University from 1978 to
161986, where he led the Bradley Braves to a National Invitation
17Tournament (NIT) championship in 1982; he was named National
18College Coach of the Year by the U.S. Basketball Writers'
19Association for the 1985-86 season; and
 
20    WHEREAS, Dick Versace joined the ranks of the NBA as
21assistant coach for the Detroit Pistons under Chuck Daley,
22moving to head coach for the Indiana Pacers, and finally as

 

 

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1assistant coach for the Milwaukee Bucks; between coaching the
2Pacers and the Bucks, he was known for his sports commentary on
3both TNT and WMAQ in Chicago; before retiring, he served as
4president and general manager for the Vancouver/Memphis
5Grizzlies; and
 
6    WHEREAS, Dick Versace brought his ebullient personality
7and relentlessly positive energy to everything he did and
8everyone he encountered; he understood the value of education
9and sports as a means of helping lift people; he thrived on
10helping young people and athletes, as well as colleagues and
11friends, realize their potential; his generosity of heart and
12spirit enriched all who were fortunate enough to know him; and
 
13    WHEREAS, Dick Versace was preceded in death by his
14parents, Col. Humbert Joseph Versace and Marie Teresa Rios;
15his brothers, Capt. Humbert Roque Versace and Stephen Versace;
16and his sister, Trilby Versace; and
 
17    WHEREAS, Dick Versace is survived by his children, David
18(Terri) and Julie; his grandchildren, Deklin and Tessa; his
19brother, Michael Rios; and his partner, Dorothy Culhane;
20therefore, be it
 
21    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED SECOND GENERAL
22ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of

 

 

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1Richard "Dick" Versace and extend our sincere condolences to
2his family, friends, and all who knew and loved him; and be it
3further
 
4    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
5presented to the family of Dick Versace as an expression of our
6deepest sympathy.