SR0714 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0714 LRB103 38242 ECR 68377 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of John Peter Croke Sr. of Springfield, who passed away on January 12, 2024; and

WHEREAS, John Croke was born to John and Marcella Croke in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on June 5, 1946; he was profoundly Deaf since birth; he was raised in Shorewood, Wisconsin, where he excelled in sports, became an Eagle Scout, and received the American Legion Award during his senior year at Shorewood High School; he attended the University of Wisconsin at Milwaukee for two years before transferring to the Rochester Institute of Technology in New York, becoming was one of the school's first Deaf students and earning a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering Technology in 1972; he married Jo Ann Maria Savage in 1973, and they raised two hearing sons in Wheeling, Illinois; and

WHEREAS, John Croke worked briefly at Bell & Howell, Western Electric, and elsewhere before being hired by Illinois Bell, known today as AT&T, in 1990, where he completed planning, drafting, and engineering duties until his retirement in 2012; and

WHEREAS, John Croke was civically engaged, circulating petitions door-to-door and contributing to social and political causes and candidates he believed in; and

WHEREAS, John Croke enjoyed traveling, especially his visit to Italy during a Deaf Catholic tour in 2014, where he saw Pope Francis, and a trip to Hawaii with his son's family in 2016; he also enjoyed participating in softball and bowling leagues with his Deaf friends; he was an avid fan of the Milwaukee Braves, now known as the Milwaukee Brewers, and also cheered for the Green Bay Packers, the Chicago Cubs, the Chicago White Sox, the Chicago Bears, and the Chicago Bulls; and

WHEREAS, John Croke was a devoted and loyal husband, father, grandfather, and friend; he enthusiastically supported his sons' academic, extracurricular, professional, and personal interests; he adored his four grandchildren, teaching them American Sign Language and attending their athletic, artistic, and school events as often as possible; and

WHEREAS, John Croke was preceded in death by his wife; and

WHEREAS, John Croke is survived by his sister, Marcella (Stu) Mathias; his sons, Peter (Ellen) Croke and Ryan (Brook) Croke; his grandchildren, Jonas, Henry, Annie, and Oliver; and many cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of John Peter Croke Sr. and extend our deepest 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 John Croke as an expression of our deepest sympathy.