Bill Text: IL SR0576 | 2013-2014 | 98th General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Mourns the death of John Francis Rourke of McHenry.

Sponsorship: Partisan Bill (Republican 1)

Status: (Passed) 2013-10-23 - Resolution Adopted [SR0576 Detail]

Download: Illinois-2013-SR0576-Introduced.html

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SENATE RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to
learn of the death of John Francis Rourke of McHenry, who
passed away on September 16, 2013; and
WHEREAS, John Rourke was born on March 16, 1945 in McHenry;
his parents were Francis and Beverly (Rimell) Rourke; he
married Edith Lee Sutherland on February 14, 1969; and
WHEREAS, John Rourke graduated from McHenry High School in
1963; he went on to attend Northwestern University on a Chick
Evans Scholarship; and
WHEREAS, John Rourke was drafted by the United States Army
in 1967; he served in the Vietnam War as a member of C Troop,
3rd Squadron, 4th United States Cavalry Regiment of the 25th
Infantry Division; he was the recipient of a Presidential Unit
Citation, the Vietnam Service Medal with 3 bronze service
stars, and a Good Conduct Medal for his meritorious service;
and
WHEREAS, After working at Lakeland Construction, Inc.,
John Rourke worked at Northwest Airlines for 26 years until his
retirement in 2007; during his retirement, he worked on a farm,
drove a bus, and volunteered at the Centrega Sage Cancer Center

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in McHenry; and
WHEREAS, John Rourke was a natural athlete from an early
age; he was proud to have thrown the first recorded no-hitter
in McHenry Little League history and was the first recipient of
the McHenry High School All-Sports Athlete of the Year Award;
and
WHEREAS, John Rourke enjoyed spending time with his family,
especially his three grandsons; he was a dedicated fan of the
Chicago Bears, Chicago Cubs, and Chicago Bulls; he also loved
all sports, playing pool, golfing, cribbage, backgammon, a good
card or dice game, and spending time with his fellow veterans;
and
WHEREAS, John Rourke was preceded in death by his parents,
Frank and Beverly Rourke; his brother, Kurt Patrick Rourke; his
mother-in-law, Naomi Mazarka; his niece, Billie Jo "Sissy"
Perry; his great-nephew, Harrison Dooher; his brother-in-law,
Nicholas Freund; and his in-laws, Paul and Bonnie
Mpistolarides; and
WHEREAS, John Rourke is survived by his loving wife of 44
years, Edith Rourke; his daughters, Jenifer (Jeff) Anderson and
Raina Rourke; his grandsons, Brady John and Ryan Michael
Anderson and Jonah Francis Rourke; his sister, Cynthia Freund;

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his brother, Kevin Rourke; and his many nieces, nephews,
great-nieces, great-nephews, and friends; therefore, be it
RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-EIGHTH GENERAL
ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we, along with his
family and friends, mourn the passing of John Francis Rourke;
and be it further
RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
presented to the family of John Rourke as an expression of our
sympathy.