SR0357 96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0357 LRB096 13417 KXB 28148 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of William Cassin of Oak Park, who passed away on June 30, 2009; and

WHEREAS, He was born June 22, 1923; he was a graduate of Fenwick High School and attended Notre Dame University before World War II; he was an avid member of the Oak Park Recreation Department's Aviation Club and looked to Charles Lindbergh as his lifelong hero; and

WHEREAS, William A. Cassin was a veteran of the United States Army, serving in World War II; he served in reconnaissance with the 20th Armored Division in France and helped to liberate the Dachau concentration camp; for his heroic service he received the Bronze Star; and

WHEREAS, He, along with his wife, was a longtime member and supporter of The Ernest Hemingway Foundation of Oak Park; together they established the Hemingway Museum and worked to restore Hemingway's birthplace; and

WHEREAS, He and his wife, Virginia, were married for 64 years; and

WHEREAS, In 2002 he received the Carl S. Winters Community Service Award from the Oak Park Rotary Club; and

WHEREAS, He was a commercial photographer and later the photo editor for major encyclopedias, including the Encyclopedia Britannica and Laidlaw Publishing; he was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting and camping alongside his family; and

WHEREAS, William Cassin was the devoted husband of Virginia, nee Robie; the loving father of Michael (Barbara), Patrick, Sharon Frame, Sheila (Richard) MacLaughlin, Timothy, Sean, Brian (Donna), and Kieran (Jeri); the beloved grandfather of 20; and the great-grandfather of 5; he was the dear brother of Phyllis (James) Donahoe, Patricia (Michael) Graft, and David (Sara) Cassin; the fond brother-in-law of William (Sally) Robie; and the cherished uncle and the friend of many; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn, along with his family and friends, the passing of William Cassin; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of William Cassin as a symbol of our sincere sympathy.