SR0271 94TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0271 LRB094 12705 HSS 47549 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Senate of the State of Illinois learned with sadness of the death of Elisha Irvin, Jr., known by some as "Gator" and some as "Chief", on June 3, 2005; and

WHEREAS, He was born to Elisha, Sr. and Elma on November 6, 1947 in Waukegan, the second oldest of six children; after graduating from Zion-Benton Township High School in 1966, he was called to defend his county; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Irvin valiantly served his country as a member of the U.S. Army, Company A, 2nd Battalion, 60th Infantry, 9th Infantry Division; he received the Bronze Star medal in January of 1969; after an honorable discharge, he worked at the Great Lakes Naval Base as a foreman; and

WHEREAS, In May of 1975, he changed careers and pursued his lifelong dream to become a policeman; he worked for the North Chicago Police Department for 25 years, retiring as Chief of Police in February of 2001; he served one term as Alderman of the 4th Ward for the City of North Chicago; he worked at Levy Security Corporation in Chicago for two years, where he made many lifelong friends; he was a hard worker and believed any job worth doing was worth doing right; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Irvin was a loyal member at Beautiful Gate Temple COGIC in Zion for some years, where he served as the President of the Benevolent Fund; he loved life, golfing, Sunday school, and riding his Honda Gold Wing; and

WHEREAS, The passing of Elisha Irvin, Jr. has been deeply felt by all who knew and loved him, especially his wife, Felecia; he was his wife's best friend and the love of her life; he is also missed by his mother; his five children and grandchildren; his brothers, Werner and William; his twin sisters, Doris and Diane; his sister-in-law; his many uncles, aunts, nieces, nephews, and cousins; and his best friend, Mack; he was preceded in death by his father, Elisha, Sr., and his brother, Robert; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Elisha Irvin, Jr., and we offer our sincerest condolences to his family and friends; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to his family as an expression of our sympathy.