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1
SENATE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened
3to learn of the death of George Trafton Fairchild, who passed
4away on April 11, 2024; and
 
5    WHEREAS, George Fairchild was born to William T. and
6Dorothy (Duffey) Fairchild on May 15, 1936; he graduated from
7Rochester High School in 1954 and attended the University of
8Illinois and Springfield Junior College; he graduated from
9Illinois College in Jacksonville in 1960; during his high
10school years, he played trumpet in the band and was an
11exceptional athlete, excelling in track, baseball, and
12basketball; he also played basketball for Illinois College; he
13served in the U.S. Army, both on active duty and as a
14reservist; he married Phyllis Stein on May 16, 1959, and they
15settled on Lake Springfield in 1965; and
 
16    WHEREAS, George Fairchild's 40-year career with Dairy
17Queen began in 1960 when he started as the manager of the 6th
18Street location in Springfield; he became general manager and
19later vice president of Illini Dairy Queen, overseeing
20operations for 30 stores throughout central and southern
21Illinois until his retirement; and
 
22    WHEREAS, George Fairchild's commitment to his community

 

 

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1was exemplified through his volunteer work as a tutor at St.
2Patrick Catholic School for 23 years; he mentored students
3into their adult years, and all still affectionately call him
4"Grandpa George"; his service to the school earned him the
5Blarney Bash Leprechaun Honor and the 2020 Heart of Gold
6Service Award; in the early 1970s, he served on the Boy's Farm
7Board of Directors (Rutledge Youth Foundation); he was an
8active supporter of the Springfield Art Association and
9Lincoln Memorial Gardens and a 50-year member of Island Bay
10Yacht Club; and
 
11    WHEREAS, George Fairchild was a longtime member of First
12Methodist Church; he embodied kindness, generosity, and
13selflessness, always putting his family first; his favorite
14pastimes included reading, volunteering, fixing things around
15the house, and spending time with his loved ones at their farm
16in Rochester and Lake Springfield home; his love for music
17included everything from jazz to Journey and patriotic hymns,
18which he enthusiastically shared with his grandchildren; and
 
19    WHEREAS, George Fairchild will be remembered for his
20annual July 4th celebrations, where he welcomed friends,
21family, and even strangers to celebrate the country he loved;
22his gentle spirit and caring nature touched the lives of
23countless individuals; and
 

 

 

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1    WHEREAS, George Fairchild was a true family man and
2leading light of the Rochester and Springfield communities; he
3leaves behind a legacy of love, service, and dedication; and
 
4    WHEREAS, George Fairchild is survived by his wife of
5almost 56 years, Phyllis; his children, Shawn M. Andrews (Clay
6Crocker), Leslie K. Casper, G. Matthew Fairchild, and Sarah A.
7(Bryan) Albracht; his sister, Charlotte Anne (Sterling)
8Littlepage; his grandchildren, Nicole (Bob) Dennison, W. Tyler
9Casper, Madeleine (Anthony) Giovannelli, Lucas (Jesse)
10Albracht, Isaac (Demi) Albracht, and Emma Fairchild; and his
11great-grandchildren, Jack, Paige, Liam, and Luca; therefore,
12be it
 
13    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL
14ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of
15George Trafton Fairchild and extend our sincere condolences to
16his family, 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 George Fairchild as an expression
20of our deepest sympathy.