SR0629 94TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0629 LRB094 19606 RSP 55831 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Senate of the State of Illinois learned with regret of the death of Anthony J. "Uncle Tony" Romanus of Peoria, Illinois, on Monday, February 6, 2006; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Romanus was born February 18, 1916, in Peoria to Joseph and Mariam Lahood Romanus; He married Alice Souss in Itoo, Lebanon, on February 23, 1936; he later married Faith Hennig Sanders in Peoria on May 29, 1989; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Romanus was a self-educated man who lived the American dream; He was a bricklayer and union member; He became an insurance agent for Progressive National Life Insurance Company, serving as their first $5,000,000 producer, marketing vice president, Illinois State manager, and member of the Board of Directors; He also served on the Board of Directors of the Peoria Heights Bank; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Romanus shared his love for family and country by encouraging and sponsoring many of his family members to make the United States their home, and, as a result of his efforts, hundreds now reside here in the U.S.; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Romanus was an active member in his community; he was a member of St. Sharbel Maronite Church in Peoria, and St. Anthony's Catholic Church in Bartonville, Illinois; He was dedicated to working at Cursillo and was a member of the St. Anthony's Men's Club and Itoo Society Club; He was devoted to making rosaries and served in the United States Army in the European Theater during World War II; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Romanus was preceded in death by his first wife Alice Souss; his adopted son; a nephew whom he raised, Camilo Romanus; nine brothers; and three sisters; and

WHEREAS, The passing of Anthony Romanus has been deeply felt by many, especially his wife; his daughter, Maureen (Maurice) Alouan; his sons, Dr. Raymond (Joan) Romanus, Joseph (Connie) Romanus, Michael (Debra) Romanus, and Phillip (Lynn) Romanus; his adopted son; his nephew whom he raised, Joseph Souss; his three stepsons, Bert (Janet) Sanders, Douglas (Leanne) Sanders, and Dennis Sanders; his stepdaughter, Annette (Bill) Bryan; his 11 grandchildren; his 10 step-grandchildren; his brother, Antonio Romanus; his two sisters, Saydeh Alwan, and Mary Sarkis; and 78 nieces and nephews; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Anthony Romanus, and we extend our deepest sympathy to his family, friends, colleagues, 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 sincere condolences.