SR0278 97TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0278 LRB097 12249 GRL 56711 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Robert J. Cunningham Sr. of Danville; and

WHEREAS, Robert Cunningham Sr. was born on March 18, 1934, in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin; his parents were Glenn and Marie (Thill) Cunningham; and

WHEREAS, Robert Cunningham Sr. attended Hooton School, which he lovingly called Hooton Tech, and Danville High School, where he graduated in 1952; from 1953 to 1956, he proudly served in the United States Army with the 14th Armored Cavalry and spent two years in Germany; he was subsequently appointed to attend the Non-Commissioned Officers Academy in Munich, Germany, and was appointed an instructor in field operations upon returning to his base; he then turned down attending Commissioned Officers Academy in the United States and retired as a staff sergeant; and

WHEREAS, In 1957, Robert Cunningham Sr. joined the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers Union; as a welder, he traveled to many parts of the United States with his brother-in-law and best friend, Kenny Laws, as his welding partner; in 1975, he was elected to serve as the business manager/secretary treasurer of Local 60; while in his second term in this position, he was asked to join the international staff in the newly-created construction division as an international representative; for five years prior to his retirement, he also served as assistant to the international president; he served on the international staff until January of 1993; and

WHEREAS, Wishing to retire at the age of 60, Robert Cunningham Sr. returned to the field for one final year Bobby Jr. and Mark, who had both graduated from the Boilermakers Apprenticeship program; on the last day of March 1993, he said goodbye to his fellow workers and hung up his welding hat and lunch box; having turned 60 that month, he realized his dream; and

WHEREAS, Robert Cunningham Sr. was involved with numerous community organizations; he was very proud of the Hooton community and helped with the placing of the marker stone where the Hooton School had been and the signs and flower gardens at 14th Street and Ross Lane; he served as a Democratic precinct committeeman for several years and was always eager to help anyone in his community; he was involved in the creation of the Vermilion County Nursing Home Foundation and served on the foundation board for several years; he accompanied the youth from Central Christian Church on their youth mission trips on several occasions and formed lasting relationships with the young people; he also enjoyed fundraising for political candidates; and

WHEREAS, Robert Cunningham Sr. enjoyed working on his classic cars, fishing with his grandchildren, attending his grandchildren's school and sports events, going on trips and cruises with his wife, hunting mushrooms, and tending his flower gardens; and

WHEREAS, Robert Cunningham Sr. was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Barbara (Taylor) Cunningham; his brother-in-law, Kenny Laws; and his grandson, Tommy Smith; and

WHEREAS, Robert Cunningham Sr. is survived by his wife, Carol; his sons, Mark and Robert Jr.; his daughter, Susie Gaudio; his stepson, Doug (Charlotte Bailey) Hanson; his grandchildren, Cassie (Johnny) Thomas, Kasey (Eric) Antonini, Robert Cunningham III, Nick Gaudio, and Markie Cunningham; his sister, Shirley Laws; his sister-in-law, Anita (Ron) Jenkins; his great-grandchildren, Kindall, Jesse, Taren, and Kenny; his several cousins; his nieces and nephews; his aunt, Doris Thill; and his wonderful friends and his church family at Central Christian Church; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-SEVENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn, along with his family and friends, the passing of Robert J. Cunningham Sr.; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Robert Cunningham Sr. as an expression of our sympathy.