SR0750 96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0750 LRB096 21809 GRL 39722 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of John D. Purdy, formerly of Hinsdale, who passed away on March 16, 2010; and

WHEREAS, John Purdy was born on July 22, 1917, in Highland Park; he married his loving wife, Marjorie, in 1939; he graduated from St. Paul's School in Concord, New Hampshire in 1936 and attended Yale University; and

WHEREAS, John Purdy was employed for 24 years in the steel pipe fabricating business; in 1962, after many years of volunteer service, he decided to spend the rest of his career working in human services; he worked first with the Community Renewal Society as Director of Development, and then as Associate Executive Director of United Charities of Chicago until his retirement in 1982; and

WHEREAS, John Purdy was active in the Boy Scouts and the Union Church of Hinsdale, where he taught Sunday school and served in many leadership positions; he helped to establish the Sanibel Congregational United Church of Christ in Sanibel, Florida in the early 1980s; he was also an active member of the Cliff Dwellers Club in Chicago and a founding member of the Jolly Boys singing group; and

WHEREAS, John Purdy was preceded in death by his loving wife of 59 years, Marjorie; and

WHEREAS, John Purdy is survived by his children, John D. Purdy, Jr. and his wife, Anne, Jane H. Purdy, William K. Purdy and his wife, Mollie, Meredith P. Clapp and her husband, Eugene, M. Hui MacDonagh and her husband, Michael, and Elizabeth C. Purdy; his 13 grandchildren; and his 10 great-grandchildren; and

WHEREAS, John Purdy will be remembered fondly by all who knew and loved him for his wonderful sense of humor, his booming voice, his love of people, poetry, and music, and his kindness to all; 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 John D. Purdy; and be it further

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