SR0080 99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0080 LRB099 05636 MST 25675 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Martin J. Vota of Taylorville, who passed away on January 8, 2015; and

WHEREAS, Martin Vota was born in Cedar Point on June 12, 1917 to Martin and Katherine (nee Pasqueno) Vota; he and his family moved to Jeisyville and eventually Langleyville; he graduated from Taylorville Township High School in 1934 and joined the Civilian Conservation Corps shortly thereafter; during World War II, he enlisted in the United States Army Air Corps; while in the service, he taught mechanics at Chaunte Air Force Base near Rantoul; he joined the Flying Cadets out of Sikeston, Missouri and served in the European Theater in the later part of the war; he married Dorothy Spisak on May 30, 1953 at Holy Rosary Church in Chicago; and

WHEREAS, After returning to the United States, Martin Vota went to the American Television School in Chicago for television engineering; he and Dorothy moved to Decatur and opened Decatur Television Engineers when WAND-TV began broadcasting; in 1966, he and his family moved to Taylorville to sell and repair televisions; he and Dorothy owned and operated Vota TV and Appliances until their retirement in 1989; in his retirement, he enjoyed chronicling his family's genealogy, emailing extended family in France and Italy, mowing his yard, working outdoors, and spending time with his loved ones; and

WHEREAS, Martin Vota was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Joe Vota; and his sister, Lucy Zarr; and

WHEREAS, Martin Vota is survived by his wife, Dorothy; his children, Cathy (Marty) Arnold, Martin (Deanna) Vota, Cindy Drea, Lori Ward, and Robin Vota; his grandchildren, Matthew and Katie Arnold, Heidi and Haylen Vota, Andrew and Bridget Drea, and Arika and Keegan Ward; his nephews, Dennis (Carol) Zarr and Richard (Sue) Zarr; and several other nieces, nephews, and cousins; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Martin J. Vota, 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 Martin Vota as an expression of our deepest sympathy.