SR0112 94TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0112 LRB094 11711 CSA 43574 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Senate of the State of Illinois learned with sadness of the death of Joliet Township Trustee Rudolph "Rudy" J. Pucel on March 8, 2005; and

WHEREAS, Rudy Pucel lived a vigorous 84 years of life; he was a retired salesman who had served as a Joliet Township Trustee since 1985; he was a former Township Collector and Democratic Committeeman in Precinct #26, and he served as the first honorary mayor of the Slovenian Grape Harvest Festival; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Pucel was born January 26, 1921, in Pueblo, Colorado; he was the fifth child of ten to Joseph and Anna (nee Bencic) Pucel; he was baptized at St. Joseph Church in Pueblo, and moved to Joliet in 1925 at the age of four; he married Mildred Erjavec on September 3, 1949, at Joseph Catholic Church in Joliet; and

WHEREAS, He was a graduate of St. Joseph Parochial School, where he was a member of the school band, and attended Joliet Township High School; he was a Sergeant with the 371st Army Engineers and served for three and a half years in the European Theatre during WWII; he was the recipient of one service stripe, three overseas service bars, American Campaign Medal, European-African-Middle Eastern Theatre ribbon with four Bronze Battle Stars, the Good Conduct Medal, Meritorious Unit Award, and the WWII Victory Medal; he worked for Trackman Auto, Hills Auto Supply, Bardahl Oil, and Bowman Distribution-Barnes Group, Inc. of Cleveland, Ohio and Bristol, Connecticut; he was an independent Sales Agent and Sales Representative for 25 years; he was appointed National Account Manager in the Midwestern and Central States in 1978, as well as Area Manager and Sales Trainer, and was "Man of the Year"; he retired in 1993; and

WHEREAS, He was a charter member and organizer for the American Legion Post #1080; he was Commander of the Post from 1952-1953 and Will County Commander from 1958-1959; he served the American Legion on numerous committees in Will County, as well as the District and State levels; he was a 35-year member of the Joliet American Legion National Championship Band where he served as Captain of the Color Guard; he held various offices, spearheaded many fundraising programs, and assisted in arranging trips throughout the United States; he also assisted the Navy and Marine Corps in various fundraising projects, which kept them financially sound; and

WHEREAS, He was a member of KSKJ American Slovenian Catholic Union, St. Joseph Lodge #2, where he was Vice-President from 1961-1984, President from 1964-1992, and Treasurer from 1993-2000; he was organizer and President of the Joliet KSKJ Lodges from 1967-1987, President of Illinois Federation of KSKJ Lodges from 1970-1987, and member of the National Board-Executive Committee from 1970-1990; he was organizer of the Associated Clubs of Greater Joliet and held numerous leadership positions with other Associated Clubs of Greater Joliet, as well as the March of Dimes (a volunteer for 50 years) and the Joliet Chamber of Commerce; and

WHEREAS, He was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church since 1926; he was a member of the church's Holy Name Society and a committee member since the early 70s; in 1976, he aided in forming the new church council, was a member since 1979, and President of St. Joseph Church Council from 1977 to 1980; he established funds for the redecorating of the church sanctuary and church; he helped organize fundraising programs in 1976 and 1977 for the purpose of renovating St. Joseph Park facilities which included the hall, cemetery, and baseball diamond; he was a life member of the American Legion Post #1080 (one of the organizers), life member of VFW Cantigny Post #367, member of the Northwest Recreation Club, Old Timers Baseball Association and its Co-Chairman Membership Committee, member of Knights of Columbus Council #4400 Baraga Association, and AARP; and

WHEREAS, He will be remembered as serving the public all of his life and doing what was right for the community; he was very dedicated to helping people; and

WHEREAS, He was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph Sr., and Anna; three brothers, Joseph Jr., John, and Edward; three sisters, Jule (late Frank) Setina, Mayme (late Joseph) Baczuk, and Ann (late Charles) Setina; and a brother-in-law, George Toth; and

WHEREAS, The passing of Rudy Pucel is felt by all who knew and loved him, especially his loving wife, Mildred; his sons, Christopher Michael (Judy, nee Maloney), Philip Gregory (Christine, nee Olson), Rudy Thomas, and Victor Joseph (Jean, nee Rehdantz) Pucel; his four grandsons, Eric Joseph (Courtney, nee O'Brien), Zachary John, Nicholas James, and Benjamin Joseph Pucel; his granddaughter, Rachel Anna Pucel; his sister, Elsie Toth; his sisters-in-law, Toni Pucel and Pollyanna Pucel; and his nieces and nephews, including Ron Setina; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Rudolph "Rudy" J. Pucel and honor his exemplary life and legacy of volunteerism and community service; and be it further

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