HJ0015 95TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HJ0015 LRB095 10505 KXB 31145 r

HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois General Assembly are saddened to learn of the death of Robert A. Ferrari of Herrin, who passed away on January 31, 2007; and

WHEREAS, Robert Ferrari was born in Royalton on November 16, 1929, the son of Domenico and Mary (Colo) Ferrari; he married Shirley R. Gulley on September 19, 1977, in Las Vegas, Nevada; and

WHEREAS, Robert received a Bachelor of Science degree and Master's degree in mathematics from Southern Illinois University; he was a teacher and coach at Johnston City High School and Herrin High School; he started Herrin Sheet Metal in the early 1950s; he purchased WJPF Radio in 1966, sold the radio station, but returned to radio in 1988; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Ferrari developed Cambridge Manor Apartments and the Melody Acres Subdivision in Herrin; he was an avid runner, competing in multiple marathons, most importantly in the St. Louis and Boston marathons and multiple River to River Relays; he was one of the founding members of the River to River Running Association; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Ferrari organized the fundraising and promotion of the Coal Miners Memorial in Herrin; he was the co-owner of Lombard Cafe in Herrin; he was the president of Herrinfesta Italiana for the past 10 years and assisted in the development of the bocce courts and pavilions; he served as past president of the Herrin Chamber of Commerce and was president of the Bob Brewer Foundation Board; Mr. Ferrari served on the board of directors for REDCO, representing Herrin; he was a member of the Herrin Rotary Club and a recipient of the Paul Harris Fellow Award; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Ferrari was preceded in death by his wife, Shirley R. Ferrari; his parents, Domenico and Mary Ferrari; his brother-in-law, Michael Akulow; and his son-in-law, John Wolff; and

WHEREAS, Robert Ferrari's survivors include his daughter, Gayle Wolff, and her son and daughter-in-law, Brian and Jenny Wolff, and their two sons Jaxon and Dylan Wolff; his son, Keith Ferrari, and his son and daughter-in-law, Chad and Brandi Ferrari, and their son Denon Ferrari and their daughter, Nichole and husband, Chris Hamm; Keith's wife, Kim, and children Domenico, Christianna, and Cherestina; his daughter, Patricia Ferrari and her husband, Andrew Janszky, and their children Christopher, Ebie, and Lucas; his daughter, Brenda Brewster and her husband, John, and their sons, Travis and Patrick; his son, Brett Ferrari and his life partner, Richard Smith; his daughter, Christy Ferrari Silverman and her husband, Ron; his fiancee, Martha "Marti" Roberts; his sister, Angelina Akulow; his niece, Mary; and his nephew, Mike; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, THE SENATE CONCURRING HEREIN, that we mourn, along with his family and friends, the passing of Robert Ferrari; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Robert Ferrari as a symbol of our sympathy.