SR0021 94TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0021 LRB094 06527 CSA 36615 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, Thomas J. McLean passed away December 3, 2004, exactly eight years after receiving the incredible gift of a second life through the miracle of a double lung transplant; and

WHEREAS, In March 2004, Tom received a third gift of life through another double lung transplant; and

WHEREAS, Tom prevailed over his lifelong affliction with cystic fibrosis with an indomitable spirit which carried him through numerous adventures, even parachuting from an airplane; a champion tennis player and sports lover (particular of the Cubs and Notre Dame football), Tom was an especially talented golfer who delighted in the competition and camaraderie of his family and friends on some of the world's most beautiful courses; and

WHEREAS, He was a proud honors graduate of Holy Angels, Marmion Military Academy, and the University of Notre Dame; while his accomplishments were many, he most cherished the wonderful lifelong friendships he formed at his alma maters; he was especially blessed by an amazing group of friends from Notre Dame who constantly supported and loved him; and

WHEREAS, After obtaining his CPA license, Tom developed many more lifelong friendships as an accountant in property management for Richard Ellis, Hamilton Partners, and most especially Lincoln Property Company in Chicago; he had a great pride and proficiency in his work and touched everyone he met with his friendly manner and determination to succeed; and

WHEREAS, His greatest gifts were the kindness, laughter, and loyalty he shared with his family and friends; he enjoyed a close relationship with his parents who lovingly cared for him through numerous illnesses into his adulthood; he was a warm and embracing husband, son, grandson, brother, uncle, nephew, and friend; he was especially comforted by the unwavering support and care during the final year of his life by his wife, his parents, and all of his family and friends; and

WHEREAS, His greatest joy and happiness was meeting the one and only true love of his life, Kristine McGuire; Tom and Kristine immediately fell in love when they met, and they were joyously married in a beautiful ceremony at Annunciation Church on August 10, 2002; though their time together on this earth was far too short, Tom and Kristine's love for each other is timeless and limitless; and

WHEREAS, Tom was preceded in death by his cherished sister, Kathy McLean Colombo, with whom he shared a special bond in their brave fight together against cystic fibrosis; his grandparents, George and Margaret Barkei; his grandfather, Donald McLean; and two special anonymous donors whose families generously offered him two sets of new lungs so that his gift of life could continue; and

WHEREAS, The passing of Thomas J. McLean is felt by all who knew and loved him, especially his beloved wife, Kristine; his parents, Michael and Shirley (Barkei) McLean; his brother, Tim (Jeanne); his sister, Ann (Kevin) Ingram; his grandmother, Marguerite McLean; his nephews, Joseph, Jeffrey, and Daniel McLean and Gabriel Seannell; his nieces, Katie and Meghan Ingram; his father-in-law, Al McGuire; his mother-in-law, Carol McGuire; his sister-in-law, Gail (Matthew) Scannell; his brother-in-law, Sean (Marlo) McGuire; and numerous loving aunts, uncles, cousins, and countless dear friends; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Thomas J. McLean and we extend our sincerest condolences to his family, friends, and community; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to his family as an expression of our deepest sympathy.