SR0849 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0849 LRB103 39909 LAW 70929 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Philip Sharp McCully of Toluca, who passed away on February 13, 2024; and

WHEREAS, Philip McCully was born to Everett S. and Geraldean (Thompson) McCully in Washburn on November 24, 1945; he graduated from Washburn High School and attended Illinois State University; in the mid-1960s, he opened the Rock House Teen Lounge in Washburn, giving teenagers from the surrounding communities the opportunity to gather and dance on Friday nights; he served in the Illinois Air National Guard; he married Sharon Holroyd/Holland on June 4, 1988, and they purchased a winter home in Florida in 2004, where they enjoyed spending winters and making new friends for 20 years; and

WHEREAS, Philip McCully worked for Crescent Electric and Englewood Electric before joining the Miller Light Company, leading him to start his own lighting agency, Philip S. McCully & Associates, in 1972; when he retired in 2012 after 40 years, he represented over 70 lighting companies and had previously worked with architects, engineers, corporations, universities, the Illinois Department of Transportation, and many others in the central Illinois area; for his professional knowledge, he received a number of accolades from the lighting industry; and

WHEREAS, Philip McCully served as vice-chair of the Marshall County Republican Central Committee for 10 years before serving as chairman for 10 more years; he enjoyed helping support many local, state, and federal candidates over the years; and

WHEREAS, Philip McCully was committed to his faith, and he served as an elder and trustee at his church; he previously served on the board of Tall Oaks Country Club, on the Toluca City Council, the previous Toluca Business Association, and the Upper Illinois River Valley Development Authority (UIRVDA); he had also served as grand marshal of the annual Labor Day festivities in Toluca; and

WHEREAS, Philip McCully loved his family, and he enjoyed traveling throughout the United States and many other countries with his wife, watching his children and grandchildren playing various sports, attending dance recitals, golfing with his son and grandson, playing pickleball with his granddaughters, laughing with his family, and sharing their achievements with others; he was a fan of the Chicago Cubs, the Chicago Bears, and the Florida Gulf Coast University Eagles; and

WHEREAS, Philip McCully was preceded in death by his parents; his brother in infancy, James Everett; and his brother, Keith McCully; and

WHEREAS, Philip McCully is survived by his wife, Sharon; his children from his previous marriage to Suzanne Dobrich, Lori (David) Durst, Stephenie (Tim) Schwanke, Melissa (Rich) Grandsart, and Derek (Karen) McCully; Sharon's daughters, Stefanie (Mike) Lansing and Michelle (Brad) Gerdes; his brother, Gary (Linnie) McCully; his sister, Sally (Larry) Arends; nine grandchildren; six step-grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren, with one on the way; 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 Philip Sharp McCully 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 Philip McCully as an expression of our deepest sympathy.