SR0534 95TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0534 LRB095 19180 KXB 45421 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Dr. Ben C. Turski of Naperville, who passed away on January 14, 2008; and

WHEREAS, He was born March 4, 1919 in Madison, the loving son of the late Faustyn and Natalia (nee Banach) Turski; he grew up with seven brothers and sisters in downstate Madison and spent much of his early life hiking, fishing, and sailing on the Mississippi River; and

WHEREAS, After high school he joined the United States Army Air Corp and served with distinction in World War II as 1st Lieutenant and B-24 "Liberator" Bomber Pilot in both the 10th and 11th Bombardment Groups of the Seventh Air Force; he saw action in the central Pacific in campaigns in the Marianas, at Pelilue, Saipan, Iwo Jima, and Chichi Jima; he flew 40 combat missions and earned several medals including the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Asiatic-Pacific Ribbon with two Battle Stars, the Victory Medal, the American Campaign Medal, and the Air Medal with Six Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters; and

WHEREAS, After World War II, he attended college on the GI bill and was a 1954 graduate of the St. Louis University School of Dentistry; he taught at the University and later opened his own practice, practicing for 25 years in East St. Louis before his retirement; in East St. Louis he was an active member of St. Adalbert's Catholic Polish Church; he moved to Naperville in 1980 to be closer to his children and grandchildren; he was a lifetime member of Judd Kendall VFW Post 3873, St. Raphael's Catholic Church, and the YMCA, all in Naperville; he was past president of the St. Clair Dental Society and a member of the Chicago Dental Society; and

WHEREAS, He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 50 years, Wanda in 1992; and his sister, Helen Bertacchi; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Ben Turski is survived by his two sons, Dr. Patrick Alan (Deborah) Turski and Dr. Ronald (Elaine) Turski; his grandchildren, Cynthia, Cheryl, Michael, and Megan; his many nieces and nephews; his brothers, Stanley "Rusty" Turski and Anthony Turski; and his sisters, Hattie Mulnik, Clara Bonk, Agnes Ruesing, and Elsie Gordon; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn, along with his family and friends, the passing of Dr. Ben Turski; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Dr. Ben C. Turski as a symbol of our sympathy.