Bill Text: IL SR1051 | 2017-2018 | 100th General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Mourns the death of Alexander George Samaras of Danville.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Passed) 2017-11-09 - Resolution Adopted [SR1051 Detail]

Download: Illinois-2017-SR1051-Introduced.html

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SR1051 LRB100 15437 MST 30433 r
SENATE RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to
learn of the death of Alexander George "Lex" Samaras of
Danville, who passed away on October 28, 2017; and
WHEREAS, Alexander Samaras was born to George Argerios and
Edna Margaret (Hullinger) Samaras on June 29, 1921; he
graduated from John Greer High School in Hoopeston and Illinois
State University with a bachelor's degree in music, where he
lettered in varsity tennis; he married Carolyn Jean Brown on
December 26, 1943; and
WHEREAS, Alexander Samaras served in the United States Navy
during World War II; he took part in the invasion of Normandy
(D-Day) on June 6, 1944 as a commanding officer of Landing
Craft Tank (LCT 709) at Utah Beach; he served as executive
officer of the Landing Craft Support (LCS 81) at the invasion
of Okinawa on April 1, 1945 and in the occupation of Japan upon
the end of World War II; and
WHEREAS, Following the war, Alexander Samaras studied
music at Juilliard in New York City and completed his master's
degree in music at Columbia University; he taught music in
Illinois at Princeville High School, Fairbury High School,
Highland Park High School, Hoopeston High School, Milford

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Township High School, and Schlarman High School; he was also
involved in the restaurant business as the owner of the Ritz in
Hoopeston with his father George, the Ritz in Watseka, and the
Coach House in Elkhorn, Wisconsin; later in life, he served as
a bailiff at the Vermilion County Courthouse; and
WHEREAS, Alexander Samaras was a member of the Hoopeston
School Board, the Hoopeston Chamber of Commerce, Hoopeston
American Legion Post 384, and Danville VFW 3510, where he also
served as commander; he was a 32nd Degree Mason and director of
the Danville Masonic Men's Choir; and
WHEREAS, Alexander Samaras was preceded in death by his
wife, Carolyn; his parents; his son, Paul A. Samaras; his
sister, Pauline (Samaras) Hughes; and his brother-in-law, Gus
Coukoulis; and
WHEREAS, Alexander Samaras is survived by his sons, David
Samaras and Mark (Julie) Samaras; his daughter, Nancy (Thomas)
Fahey; his daughter-in-law, Anne Samaras; his sister, Helen
(Samaras) Coukoulis; his brother, William G. (Patsy) Samaras;
his grandchildren, Trace (Sarah) Johnson, Catherine (Kyle)
Neumann, Georgianna Samaras, Christopher Samaras, Rebecca
LaPiana, Jennifer (Rich) Famiglietti, Christianne (John Wood)
Samaras, Alexander D. Samaras, Alexander P. Samaras, and
Carolyn (Mike) Austin; and his great-grandchildren, Freddie

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Famiglietti, Sammy Famiglietti, Alexa LaPiana, Paige Wood,
Kaleb Neumann, Kamryn Neumann, Zoe Austin, and Jacob Austin;
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDREDTH GENERAL
ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of
Alexander George "Lex" Samaras, 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 Alexander Samaras as an expression
of our deepest sympathy.