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1
SENATE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to
3learn of the death of Christo Mathew "Chris" Dragatsis of
4Joliet, who passed away on February 21, 2018; and
 
5    WHEREAS, Chris Dragatsis was born in Joliet to proud Greek
6immigrants Mathew and Anastasia (Naphliotou) Dragatsis on July
731, 1930; he graduated from Joliet Township High School and
8received an associate's degree from Joliet Junior College; he
9joined the United States Army and served in Korea, first in the
10Tank Company 129 Infantry Division 23rd Regiment; he was a
11First Lieutenant from 1953 until 1955; and
 
12    WHEREAS, After his honorable discharge from the Army, Chris
13Dragatsis returned to Joliet where he worked at Blockson
14Chemical and later at Olin Matheson; in 1962, he began his
15career in the insurance industry with new England Financial; he
16retired in 2004; during his working years, he also owned Frosty
17Tips Ice Cream stores, Hoffman Glass, and The Joliet Donut
18Company; he was also one of the original partners in the
19Shorewood Shopping Center, and he developed several
20residential apartment complexes throughout Joliet; and
 
21    WHEREAS, Chris Dragatsis was well known for his love of the
22City of Joliet and was inspired to make Joliet a great place to

 

 

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1live, work, and enjoy its culture; he helped with many
2community projects, including the campaign to "Save the
3Rialto," which helped bring the theater under public ownership
4and avoid demolition, and "Save Central," which prevented the
5closing of Joliet Central; he was instrumental in the
6reconstruction of the downtown library and also helped to
7develop the library branch on Black Road; and
 
8    WHEREAS, Chris Dragatsis was honored with many awards,
9including the Joliet/Will County Project Pride Award in 2014;
10one of his most memorable and well-deserved events was being
11selected for Honor Flight Chicago in 2016; and
 
12    WHEREAS, Chris Dragatsis was a lifelong and devoted member
13of All Saints Greek Orthodox Church, where he served on the
14parish council; he was a member of numerous organizations,
15including Ahepa, where he was a past President; and the Mykonos
16Society, where he was an honorary member; and
 
17    WHEREAS, Chris Dragatsis was preceded in death by his
18parents and his wife, Mary (Kallas) Dragatsis; and
 
19    WHEREAS, Chris Dragatsis is survived by his children, Ann
20Dragatsis, Stacey Dragatsis Neese, Mathew (Evelyn) Dragatsis,
21and James (Stephanie) Dragatsis; his grandchildren,
22Christopher and Kyle Neese, Christo and Marine Dragatsis, and

 

 

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1Anastasia, Alexa, and Caroline Dragatsis; his sister,
2Katherine (Dragatsis) Deimer; his many nieces and nephews; his
3great-nieces, great-nephews; and his great-great-niece and
4nephew; therefore, be it
 
5    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDREDTH GENERAL
6ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of
7Christo Mathew "Chris" Dragatsis and extend our sincere
8condolences to his family, friends, and all who knew and loved
9him; and be it further
 
10    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
11presented to the family of Chris Dragatsis as an expression of
12our deepest sympathy.