SR0877 99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

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SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Joe DeMay of the Sun City retirement community in Huntley, who passed away on July 31, 2015; and

WHEREAS, Joe DeMay was born in Palermo, Sicily on October 22, 1933 to Vincenzo and Vincenza Chichirillo Iannacco; his father passed away in 1935, his mother married Anthony DeMay, and the family moved to Jeannette, Pennsylvania; in the summer of 1951, they relocated to Harvard; he graduated from Harvard High School in 1953 and enlisted in the United States Marine Corps; he was stationed at the U.S. Navy Atomic Testing Base outside of Las Vegas, Nevada for 2 years; he married Judy Simonini on September l, 1956 at St. Joseph's Church in Harvard; and

WHEREAS, Joe DeMay was employed by the Admiral Television Corporation in Harvard in various management positions from 1956 until the plant's closing in 1980; he then was Quality Control Manager at General Power and Equipment for 12 years; and

WHEREAS, Joe DeMay served as Harvard Community Credit Union President and Treasurer for 30 years; he was active in a number of civic matters, including serving as a Harvard City Alderman for 23 years and as City Treasurer for 7 years; he was Chairman of Harvard's Bicentennial Commission in honor of the nation's bicentennial celebration; he was heavily involved in Harvard's annual Milk Days, serving as General Chairman, as Parade Chairman, and on their Executive Board for 20 years; he was a member of the Harvard Lions Club for 30 years, with 28 years of perfect attendance; he received the 1969 Harvard JayCee Distinguished Service Award; he was a member of the Harvard Moose Lodge for 35 years and a member of the Harvard Historical Society; he served on the Harvard Library Board for 7 years and on the Chamber of Commerce Board; and

WHEREAS, In 1999, Joe DeMay and his wife moved to the Sun City retirement community in Huntley to enjoy their retirement years; while there, he was a charter member of the Italian American Club, served as President of the Pinochle Club, and was a member of the Bocce Club, the Bowling Club, and the Polish Club; he was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Huntley; he and his wife loved to travel and particularly enjoyed taking cruises; they travelled within the United States and to many countries around the world; his interests included playing pinochle, golf, and bocce; he was a talented artist and a great cook; and

WHEREAS, Joe DeMay was preceded in death by his parents and his parents-in-law, Louis and Esther Simonini; and

WHEREAS, Joe DeMay is survived by his wife, Judy; his daughter, Debbie Reising; his son, Joe (Kendra); his grandchildren, Angela Reising, Steve (Sonia) Reising, and Tatum DeMay; his great-grandchildren, Giovanni, Giada, and Georgia Reising; his brother, Tony; his brothers-in-law, Bob (Jennet) Simonini and Bill (Mary Jane) Simonini; and several nieces and nephews; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Joe DeMay, 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 Joe DeMay as an expression of our deepest sympathy.