SR1505 99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

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SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Anthony T. "Tony" Ferrelli of Aurora, who passed away on February 3, 2016; and

WHEREAS, Anthony Ferrelli was born in Burlington, New Jersey to first-generation, Italian immigrants Vincenzo and Venanzia Ferrelli on November 26, 1927; he volunteered for the United States Army upon graduating from high school; he married Joan Novak on April 19, 1952; and

WHEREAS, Anthony Ferrelli was a member of the First Infantry Division "The Big Red 1" and the 26th Infantry Regiment; he served his country for 21 years and was a highly decorated soldier, retiring as a Sergeant Major in 1967; during his Army career, he served in many locations around the world, including Germany, Japan, and Korea; in the United States, he served at Ft. Benning, Ft. Leonard Wood, Ft. Bragg, and others; he was twice stationed at Marmion Academy, where he taught ROTC; in 1966, before retiring from active service, he volunteered for duty in Vietnam; he earned the Silver Star - the Army's third-highest combat medal - for his actions over a 2-day period in March of 1967, when his outfit engaged a Viet Cong base camp and found themselves vastly outnumbered by 2000 enemy soldiers; he also earned the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart, and several other medals and recognitions; he was known as "The Humble Hero" after receiving national attention for feeling he did not deserve his Silver Star; and

WHEREAS, After his retirement from the Army, Anthony Ferrelli served 23 years as a letter carrier with the United States Post Office; and

WHEREAS, Anthony Ferrelli was a member of Holy Angels Church; and

WHEREAS, Anthony Ferrelli was preceded in death by his son, Michael; his parents; his brothers, Umberto, Daniel, Dominick, and Joseph; his sisters, Edith and Margaret; and his daughter-in-law, Denise; and

WHEREAS, Anthony Ferrelli is survived by his wife of 64 years, Joan; his sons, Christopher, Mark (Wendy), and Daniel; his grandchildren, Matthew, Megan (Colin), Anthony (Kate), Celia, and Mark; his great-grandchildren, Lana, Logan, and Giovanni; his brother, Pasquale; and many nieces and nephews; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Anthony T. "Tony" Ferrelli, and extend our sincere condolences to his family, friends, and all who knew and loved him; and be it further

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