SR0154 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0154 LRB103 31630 LAW 60082 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Zachary A. "Zack" Defreitas of Springfield, who passed away on March 17, 2023; and

WHEREAS, Zack Defreitas was born to John Charles and Michelle Lynn Richards Defreitas in Peoria on October 2, 1992; he moved with his family to Springfield in the mid-1990s; he played youth hockey with the Springfield Kings, the Peoria Jr. Rivermen, and the Pekin Dragons before embarking on a junior hockey run with the Danville Inferno and Peoria Mustangs; he graduated from Springfield High School in 2010; he earned his bachelor's degree in Mass Communications and Media Arts from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale in May 2016; he married Erica Davis at Washington Park in Springfield on April 23, 2022; and

WHEREAS, Zack Defreitas was employed as Director of Marketing and Communications for the Springfield Jr. Blues, where he worked since 2018; he also served as the play-by-play announcer for the Springfield Jr. Blues and became popular with the team's fan base; he formerly served as the broadcaster for the Springfield Sliders baseball team in the summer of 2021; and

WHEREAS, Zack Defreitas had an undying passion for hockey, with his favorite team being the St. Louis Blues; he enjoyed taking long drives, watching WWE and old movies, traveling, listening to music, and researching historical events; and

WHEREAS, Zack Defreitas was preceded in death by his maternal grandfather, Denny Richards; and

WHEREAS, Zack Defreitas is survived by his wife, Erica Defreitas; his father, John Defreitas; mother, Michelle (husband, Jesse) Defreitas; his brothers, Nicholas Defreitas and Bradley (fiancé, Samantha) Defreitas; his maternal grandmother, Marie Richards; his paternal grandmother, Joanne Defreitas; his paternal grandfather, Charles Defreitas; his several professional friendships, including Tyler Rennette, Todd Pococke, and Dan Ferguson; and his many friends who became family; 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 Zachary A. "Zack" Defreitas 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 Zack Defreitas as an expression of our deepest sympathy.