SR1384 102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR1384 LRB102 30190 ECR 42531 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Gerald "Jerry" Flaherty, who passed away near his home in Winnetka on December 22, 2022; and

WHEREAS, Jerry Flaherty was born to Stanley and Theresa (Burgoni) Flaherty in Cherry on November 25, 1938; he graduated from Hall High School in Spring Valley in 1956; he married Lynn Taggart in 1958; he attended Northern Illinois University and earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in 1964 and another in Industrial Technology in 1967; and

WHEREAS, Jerry Flaherty enjoyed a successful, 42-year career at Caterpillar Inc. (Cat), progressing through the ranks because he was a strong leader, a natural teacher, and deeply committed to serving his people; he started as a production employee at the Aurora plant in 1959; he graduated from Cat's Manufacturing Training Program in 1961 and joined management in 1963; he was promoted and transferred to Cat's Decatur Plant as the Assembly Factory Manager in 1972; he then moved to General Offices as the Assistant Director of Manufacturing before being promoted as Plant Manager of Cat's Milwaukee, York, and Aurora Plants in succession; he was especially proud to return to his home Aurora Plant as the Plant Manager; in 1987, he joined Cat's Executive Offices, first as Vice President of Employee Relations, then as Executive Vice President, and finally reaching Group President in 1990; as a Group President, he managed portfolios of global responsibilities; he was also the voice of Operations within the Executive Office; and

WHEREAS, Jerry Flaherty was involved in his local communities and donated his time in service to the Junior Achievement, Crispus Attucks, the City of Peoria Fire and Police Commission, the Peoria Area Economic Development Council, the Community Advisory Board of St. Francis Medical Center, the Bradley University Board of Trustees, and the Peoria Chapter of the Salvation Army; and

WHEREAS, Jerry Flaherty was an avid sportsman who played football, basketball, and track in high school and enjoyed boating, skiing, and golfing later in life; he also loved traveling the world with his wife and their friends; long after his retirement, he maintained his interest in the business world and current events; more than anything, he was a devoted family man who happily passed along the tradition of family Euchre playing; and

WHEREAS, Jerry Flaherty is survived by his sisters, Sharon (Barry) Ellis and Shirley (George) Adrian; his wife; his three sons, Michael (Linda), Jerry Jr., and Tim (Voni); his five grandsons, Ryan, Daniel, Connor, John, and Sean; and his three great-grandchildren, Owen, Maeve, and Wayne "Bud"; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED SECOND GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Gerald "Jerry" Flaherty 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 Jerry Flaherty as an expression of our deepest sympathy.