SR1120 96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR1120 LRB096 24695 KXB 44663 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Clifford Becker Sr. of Oak Park, who passed away on December 30, 2010; and

WHEREAS, Clifford Becker Sr. was born in Sublette on January 5, 1930, and raised in Maytown on his family farm, with his two brothers and two sisters; he talked often of raising lambs, the foods his mother made from their garden, and fruit and nut trees; and

WHEREAS, He attended Amboy High School and Loras College in Dubuque, Iowa; while serving in the Air Force in Cheyenne, Wyoming, he returned to Amboy to marry his sweetheart, Patricia O'Rourke, and they shared their lives for over 58 years; their first son, John was born in Albuquerque, New Mexico; and

WHEREAS, In 1955, they returned to Illinois and three more children, Kathryn, Cliff Jr., and Justin, were born; he and his wife lived in Oak Park and were active members of St. Giles Parish for over 50 years; he was very involved at St. Giles as Treasurer for the Boy Scouts during the years his sons were active, and he was a Family Grievance Counselor, and a member of the Mens Club; his group of Soup Kitchen cooks from St. Giles has been serving the St. Pius Parish Soup Kitchen for fifteen years; and

WHEREAS, He was on the Board of many organizations in the Oak Park Area; he had a long career at IBM Corporation and then sold homes for Gagliardo Realty for many years before retiring and traveling, visiting his children in Kansas City and California, and spending winters in Naples, Florida with great friends; and

WHEREAS, Cliff Becker loved his family and delighted in all times spent with his nine grandchildren, Elizabeth, Megan, Kalyn, Patrick, Tyler, Rayanna, Lucinda, Clara, and Ivan; his children's spouses, Margalee, Daniel, Kristine, and Julia were his favorites as well as his many nieces and nephews; most of all, Cliff loved his girl, Pat, and cared for her well; he was a holy and just man and we will miss him; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn, along with his family and friends, the passing of Clifford Becker Sr.; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Clifford Becker Sr. as a symbol of our sincere sympathy.