SR0212 94TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0212 LRB094 12397 HSS 46675 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Senate of the State of Illinois learned with sadness of the death of Mr. Gale C. Wicks of Aurora, which occurred on September 30, 2004; and

WHEREAS, He was born on August 14, 1921, in Seneca to Arthur and Bertha Wicks; a Seneca Knight, he dated Mary Catherine Schaefer, the love of his life, who became his wife of nearly 60 years and whom he often called Katie; she preceded him in death in September of 2000; and

WHEREAS, He studied surveying briefly at Penn State, until he was called to duty in World War II in Europe; he served his unit as a medic and saw first hand the ravages of war; he always expressed how grateful he was to return home; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Wicks settled his family in Aurora, and he began a career; he had fond memories of working for the Burlington Northern Railroad; his business career included 20 years at Thor Power Tools in Aurora and 20 years at Ajax Tool Works in Franklin Park; and

WHEREAS, He retired in 1990 and began walking two miles with his wife in Aurora's Lincoln Park every morning, except on those days when the temperature or wind chill factor was below zero; after Mary's passing, he faithfully continued to walk, enjoying the companionship of his Lincoln Park walking pals; and

WHEREAS, His tendency toward friendliness and philosophical thinking continued to deepen over the years; he was a son and grandson, a brother and uncle, a husband and father, a grandfather and great-grandfather, a friend and helper, and a tough act to follow; he was a Christian and a member of Holy Angels Church; and

WHEREAS, The passing of Gale C. Wicks has been deeply felt by many, especially his children, Larry (Arlene) Wicks, Judy (Patrick) Flaherty, and John Wicks; his grandchildren, Bob (Kathy) Wicks, Ben Flaherty, and Mark, Katie, and Daniel Flaherty; and his great-grandchildren, Matthew and Eric Wicks; in addition to his parents and precious wife, he was preceded in death by his daughter, Joanne Wicks, and his grandsons, Lawrence, Jr., and Bryan Wicks; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Gale C. Wicks, and we extend our deepest sympathy 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 his family as an expression of our sorrow for their loss.