SR0324 102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0324 LRB102 18460 ECR 26559 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Gerald "Jerry" Francis Murray, who passed away on April 7, 2021 at the age of 78; and

WHEREAS, Jerry Murray was born to James and Rose Murray in Chicago on October 15, 1942; and

WHEREAS, Jerry Murray attended Chicago State University (Chicago Teacher's College) and spent a year and a half as an elementary school teacher in Chicago Public Schools; and

WHEREAS, Jerry Murray joined VISTA, Volunteers In Service to America, where he worked with local community organizations in California; and

WHEREAS, Jerry Murray taught at Providence St. Mel High School in Chicago for two years before entering Loyola University's School of Law; and

WHEREAS, Jerry Murray practiced law for 40 years with a focus on insurance and adoption law; and

WHEREAS, Jerry Murray and his wife Elaine were united in marriage on August 30, 1969; they moved to Oak Park in 1972 and lived there for nearly 50 years; and

WHEREAS, Jerry Murray was a pillar of the Oak Park community and served as a liaison for many public service organizations; and

WHEREAS, Jerry Murray was a dedicated volunteer, community activist, and dear friend to many at the Democratic Party of Oak Park, the Oak Park Food Bank, and Housing Forward, a non-profit with a mission of ending homelessness; and

WHEREAS, Jerry Murray played an important role in providing pro bono law services to individuals and families in Oak Park; and

WHEREAS, Jerry Murray could be found at the Oak Park Farmer's Market in any multitude of volunteer roles surrounding voter registration, climate change action, and upcoming elections; and

WHEREAS, Jerry Murray had a passion for nature and conservation, which led him to spend countless hours on Sierra Club trips and volunteering on behalf of protecting the environment; and

WHEREAS, Jerry Murray is survived by his wife, Elaine; his son, Joseph (Jenny); his daughter, Norah (Daniel); his grandsons, Connor, Devon, Dylan, Michael, Derek, Owen, and Francis; his brothers, Tom (Judy), Jim (Ann), and Bob (Linda); his sister-in-law, June; his sister, Rosemary; and his dozens of nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED SECOND GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Gerald "Jerry" Francis Murray 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 Jerry Murray as an expression of our deepest sympathy.