SR0517 LRB095 18782 GRL 45094 r

1
SENATE RESOLUTION

 
2     WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to
3 learn of the death of John Barry McRaith of Lincolnwood, who
4 passed away on December 20, 2007; and
 
5     WHEREAS, John Barry McRaith was born on September 4, 1939
6 in Louisville, Kentucky and grew up in Evanston; he was
7 president of Loyola Academy's Class of 1957 and a star golfer,
8 winning a scholarship to Xavier University in Cincinnati, Ohio;
9 during his first year in college, his father died, leading him
10 to return home to help support his mother and siblings; he took
11 a job managing Evanston's municipal golf course, working there
12 for several years; and
 
13     WHEREAS, In 1969, John Barry McRaith and Loyola Academy
14 classmate Pat Kearney purchased the Sethness-Greenleaf
15 Company, where he served as President and CEO for 38 years; due
16 to Mr. McRaith's vision, personality, charisma, and
17 leadership, Sethness-Greenleaf grew into an international
18 company, becoming the supplier of Green River Soda, flavorings
19 for the Fat Tuesday's restaurant chain and the Arbor Mist line
20 of wines, and the world famous green dye used in the famous St.
21 Patrick's Day tradition of dying the Chicago River green; and
 
22     WHEREAS, John Barry McRaith was well known in the business

 

 

SR0517 - 2 - LRB095 18782 GRL 45094 r

1 world for his unique form of leadership, which focused on a
2 personal touch with employees and customers; he eschewed the
3 use of voicemail or e-mail in his various dealings; and
 
4     WHEREAS, John Barry McRaith was active with several
5 charities and civic organizations, including the Boys
6 Hope/Girls Hope, Meet the Wilderness, American Foundation for
7 Suicide Prevention, Howard Area Community Center, the
8 Sheffield Neighborhood Association, and Loyola Academy; he
9 also served as chairman of the board at the Addolorata Villa
10 Retirement Center; and
 
11     WHEREAS, John Barry McRaith's passions included his large
12 family, golfing, and traveling; he was an avid Chicago sports
13 fan, holding season tickets for the Chicago Bears, Chicago
14 Bulls, Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox, and the Northwestern
15 Wildcats Football and Basketball for many years; and
 
16     WHEREAS, John Barry McRaith is survived by his children,
17 Barry Jr. (Carol), Kevin, Michael, Meaghan (Con) Egan, and
18 Brigid; his sisters, Mary Ann, Kathleen (Lloyd) Maday, Brigid
19 (Patrick) Hughes, and Maureen (Jay) McGowan; his brother,
20 Thomas (Jimmie); and his six grandchildren, Allie, Fiona,
21 Joseph Barry, Sam, Juliette, and Sean; therefore, be it
 
22     RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL

 

 

SR0517 - 3 - LRB095 18782 GRL 45094 r

1 ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn, along with
2 his family and friends, the passing of John Barry McRaith; and
3 be it further
 
4     RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
5 presented to the family of John Barry McRaith as an expression
6 of our sympathy.