SR1051 100TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

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 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 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.