SR0393LRB103 33053 ECR 62860 r

1
SENATE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened
3to learn of the death of Michael Joseph Terry of Springfield
4and Hollywood, Florida, who passed away on May 25, 2023; and
 
5    WHEREAS, Michael Terry was born to Michael "Mickey" Terry
6(Tirro) and Esther Goldberg Terry in New York City on March 19,
71932; he and his sister, Pat, spent a majority of their
8childhood raised in an orphanage and separate foster homes
9during the Great Depression era; he was married to Lib
10Driggers, and they later divorced; he was married to Cindy
11Grooms, and they later divorced; he married Sue (Shymansky)
12Michael in 1979; and
 
13    WHEREAS, Michael Terry served in the U.S. Army for 21
14years, beginning at the age of 15 due to concealing his age; he
15was a master parachutist, completing over 80 jumps, and was a
16member of the Special Forces; he served twice during the
17Korean War and twice during the Vietnam War; he served on
18General Westmoreland's staff and was an advisor to the South
19Vietnamese; after returning to the United States, he served in
20various positions, including heading the Junior Reserve
21Officers' Training Corps (JROTC) program in Chicago schools;
22and
 

 

 

SR0393- 2 -LRB103 33053 ECR 62860 r

1    WHEREAS, During his service, Michael Terry earned a
2college degree by attending in-person night classes when
3available at the locations of his various assignments; he also
4attended the Defense Language Institute, where he learned
5Vietnamese prior to his time in Vietnam; over his military
6career, he earned two Bronze Stars, one Purple Heart, and 10
7additional medals; and
 
8    WHEREAS, After retiring from the U.S. Army as a major, he
9worked for the Xerox Corporation for 21 years, serving in
10various positions until he retired as manager of Major
11Accounts Programs; and
 
12    WHEREAS, Michael Terry supported various types of
13charities, including those for children, military veterans,
14the homeless, abused and abandoned animals, and organizations
15researching treatments and a cure for Parkinson's disease; and
 
16    WHEREAS, Michael Terry enjoyed many activities, including
17fishing, hunting both wild animals and mushrooms, working in
18his vegetable and flower gardens, maintaining his lawn,
19dancing, playing cards, golfing, boating, swimming, water
20skiing, snow skiing, and staying active and fit; he liked
21reading and taking on and completing handyman touch-up
22projects, and he loved flying a private airplane in which he
23had partial ownership; after he retired, he took cooking

 

 

SR0393- 3 -LRB103 33053 ECR 62860 r

1classes at a local college to plan and prepare meals for his
2wife, Sue; and
 
3    WHEREAS, Michael Terry was a good man who will be
4remembered for his kindness and generosity; and
 
5    WHEREAS, Michael Terry was preceded in death by his
6parents; his sister, Pat Pagan; his aunts and uncles; and
7other family members and friends; and
 
8    WHEREAS, Michael Terry is survived by his wife; his son,
9Bob (Genie) Terry; his grandchildren, Michael (Logan) Sterner,
10Heather Lore, Elizabeth (Frank) Fosdick, and Natalie Terry; 13
11great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; and
12many cousins, nieces, and nephews; therefore, be it
 
13    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL
14ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of
15Michael Joseph Terry and extend our sincere condolences to his
16family, friends, and all who knew and loved him; and be it
17further
 
18    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
19presented to the family of Michael Terry as an expression of
20our deepest sympathy.