SR1526 98TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR1526 LRB098 23012 GRL 61972 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Harold Richard "Corky" Baird, Sr., who passed away on October 14, 2014; and

WHEREAS, Harold Baird, Sr. was born on May 3, 1928 in Gillespie; his parents were William J. and Loraine (nee Williams) Baird; he married the former Ella Faye Wood on September 11, 1948; and

WHEREAS, Harold Baird, Sr. served in the United States Army for 9 years and the United States Navy Seabees for 15 years, retiring after 24 years of dedicated service; upon arriving in Italy in 1946, he immediately assumed responsibility as a disbursing clerk; and

WHEREAS, Harold Baird, Sr. was a passionate lover of history and traveled to many places throughout the world, including Switzerland and Italy, which included Livorno and Rome, where he visited the Coliseum and attended an audience with the Pope; during his military career, he also traveled to places such as Harlem, Georgia, Colorado Springs, and the Yukon; and

WHEREAS, Harold Baird, Sr. was a member of the Odd Fellows and the Alton Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1308 and a past president of the Alton High School Booster Club; as a longtime Boy Scout leader, he chaperoned young men at Camp Warren Levis and on many noteworthy hikes, including the Lincoln Heritage Trail in Springfield; he also had an extensive collection of antique tools; and

WHEREAS, Harold Baird, Sr. was preceded in death by his parents; a daughter, Phyllis Harrell; and 2 brothers, Gerald and James Baird; and

WHEREAS, Harold Baird, Sr. is survived by his wife, Ella; 2 daughters, Sandra (Jim) Gellar and Lori (Gary) Schwartz; a son, Harold "Richard" Baird, Jr. (Terry O'Connor); Butch (Brenda) Chapman, whom he raised and considered a son; 16 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; and 2 great-great grandchildren; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-EIGHTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we, along with his family and friends, mourn the passing of Harold Richard "Corky" Baird, Sr.; and be it further

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