SR1111 102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR1111 LRB102 28276 LAW 40147 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Lawrence G. "Larry" Mais, who passed away on July 8, 2022; and

WHEREAS, Larry Mais was born to George and Margaret (Fuess) Mais in South Ozone Park, Queens, New York on September 23, 1925; he was raised during the Great Depression; he graduated from John Adams High School; he enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1942, was assigned to the 86 Infantry, Black Hawk Division, saw action in the Battle of the Bulge, and was awarded the Bronze Star for combat actions; after VE Day, he was deployed to the Philippines; following his military service, he attended Saint John's University on the GI bill, attending night school while working during the day, and earned his bachelor's degree in English in 1952; he married Catherine "Katie" Meehan at Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Brooklyn, New York, and they settled in Bellerose, New York and had four children; and

WHEREAS, Larry Mais took a job with Ametek in 1965, moving his family from the state of New York to the Quad Cities, where they became parishioners at St. Anne's in East Moline; later, as his job transferred to San Diego, they became parishioners at Our Lady of Grace Parish in El Cajon, California, where he was involved in the food pantry and helping the poor and homeless; and

WHEREAS, After retirement, Larry Mais and Katie moved back to the Quad Cities to live with their daughter, Mary, and be near family; they were parishioners at St. Ambrose in Milan and St. Pius X in Rock Island; they were also active in the food pantry and prison ministry; for their work with the prison ministry at the East Moline Correctional Center, they were awarded Volunteers of The Year by the State of Illinois; and

WHEREAS, Larry Mais was known as a man of wit and an inspiration to many of his fellow volunteers; he loved reading novels, freshwater fishing at Lake Okoboji in Iowa, and deep-sea fishing; he was a devoted pipe smoker, a crossword puzzle aficionado, and a contract bridge player; he also enjoyed participating in local bowling leagues; he was a lifelong Brooklyn Dodgers fan until the team moved to the West Coast, becoming a New York Mets fan in 1962; and

WHEREAS, Larry Mais was the father of Tom, Mary Anderson, Peggy (Jeff) Kendrick, and Tricia (Bob) Havlir; the grandfather of Major Ryan Anderson, Matt (Melanie McKelvey) Anderson, Kristin (Terry) Stambaugh, Steve Mais, Bridget Mais, M.D., Michael (Rita) Kendrick, Ed.D., Sam (Becky) Kendrick, and George Havlir; and the great-grandfather of Ben Kendrick, Ellie Kendrick, Declan Kendrick, Mari Kendrick, and Eryn Stambaugh; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED SECOND GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Lawrence G. "Larry" Mais and extend our sincere condolences to his family, friends, and all who knew and loved him; and be it further

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