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1
SENATE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to
3learn of the death of former Illinois State Senator Lawrence M.
4"Larry" Walsh Sr., who passed away on June 3, 2020; and
 
5    WHEREAS, Sen. Walsh was born in Joliet to Robert and Alice
6(Hess) Walsh Sr. on March 3, 1948; he graduated from Elwood
7Grade School in 1962, Joliet East High School in 1966, and
8Joliet Junior College in 1968, where he earned his associate's
9degree in Agriculture; he was awarded two honorary doctoral
10degrees from Lewis University and the University of St.
11Francis; he married Irene Quigley on November 29, 1969;
12together, they raised their family in Elwood; and
 
13    WHEREAS, Sen. Walsh was a devoted farmer; he loved the land
14and raising his children on the family farm; and
 
15    WHEREAS, Sen. Walsh began his long career in public service
16as a member of the Elwood School Board in 1970; he was first
17elected Jackson Township Supervisor in 1973, a position he held
18until December 2004; he served on the Will County Board in 1974
19and 1992; he served as an Illinois State Senator, representing
20the 43rd District, from April 1997 to January 2005; he finished
21his career in public service as the Will County Executive, a
22position he held since being elected in 2004; his mission as a

 

 

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1public servant was always to better the lives of people who
2lived and worked in his community; he brought a voice to
3disability issues, senior services, preservation, and
4agricultural concerns; and
 
5    WHEREAS, Sen. Walsh was an active and dedicated member of
6the community; he served on a number of boards, including the
7Will County Center for Economic Development, the Will County
8Governmental League, the Will County Farm Bureau, the Joliet
9Chamber of Commerce, the Joliet City Center Partnership, the
10Joliet Owners and Managers Association, and the Chicago
11Metropolitan Agency on Planning; he was also a member of the
12Joliet Exchange Club, the Elwood Lions Club, Friends of
13Hospice, and many local chambers of commerce; he passionately
14contributed to local charities, including the Morning Star
15Mission, Make a Wish Foundation, Boy Scouts of America, and
16Cornerstone; and
 
17    WHEREAS, Sen. Walsh was committed to his faith and was a
18lifelong parishioner of St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in
19Wilmington; he attended daily mass and served as a Eucharistic
20Minister; he was a member of the Knights of Columbus; and
 
21    WHEREAS, Sen. Walsh enjoyed playing cards with his many
22friends, traveling with his wife and dear cousins MaryJane and
23Joe, and giving tractor rides to his grandchildren; and
 

 

 

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1    WHEREAS, Sen. Walsh was known for his vibrant personality
2and his recognizable, loud voice; he will long be remembered as
3a dedicated family man and a loyal friend and for voicing the
4guardian angel Clarence in WJOL's annual radio show performance
5of It's a Wonderful Life; and
 
6    WHEREAS, Sen. Walsh was preceded in death by his parents;
7his father-in-law, Marvin Sr.; and his mother-in-law, Mary
8(McCormick) Quigley; his brothers, Robert Jr. and Edward; his
9brothers-in-law, Tom Baudino, Richard Quigley, and Marvin Jr.
10"Jimmy" Quigley; and
 
11    WHEREAS, Sen. Walsh is survived by his wife of over 50
12years, Irene; his children, Larry Jr. (Theresa), Frank (Micki),
13Matthew (Danielle), Sarah (Kyle) Horton, Shawn (Amy), and Brian
14(Brandy); his 20 grandchildren, Katelynn, Frank Jr., Aidan,
15Jacob, Matthew Jr., Becca Horton, Nolan, Casie, Joshua,
16Nicholas, Caleb, Breanna Horton, Brayden, Brittany Horton,
17Liam, Brody, Charles, Griffin, Molly, and Samuel; his siblings,
18Joanne (Martin) Katzmarek, John (Sue), Mary (the late Tom)
19Baudino, Marty (Karen), and Nancy (Linda Mackley); his
20sisters-in-law, Linda Walsh and Donna Walsh; his
21brothers-in-law, Michael (Pat), Paul, and Bill Quigley; and his
22numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins; therefore, be it
 

 

 

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1    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED FIRST GENERAL
2ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of
3Illinois State Senator Lawrence M. "Larry" Walsh Sr. and extend
4our sincere condolences to his family, friends, and all who
5knew and loved him; and be it further
 
6    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
7presented to the family of the late Sen. Walsh as an expression
8of our deepest sympathy.