HR1446 99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR1446 LRB099 23346 MST 51060 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of John Walsh D'Arcy III, who passed away on August 23, 2016 at the age of 90; and

WHEREAS, John D'Arcy III was born in Joliet; his parents were Verna and John D'Arcy; and

WHEREAS, John D'Arcy III attended St. Raymond's in Joliet and St. Thomas Military Academy in St. Paul before serving in the United States Navy as a bombardier during World War II; after his honorable discharge, he attended the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul; and

WHEREAS, John D'Arcy III was an active member of St. Mary Immaculate Catholic Church in Plainfield, where he served on various boards supporting the growth of the church and school; his voice was familiar to daily communicants as he regularly lectured and sang at the morning Masses; he was actively involved in and a member of the boards of the Joliet Franciscan Sisters and Catholic Charities; and

WHEREAS, John D'Arcy III began his career in banking with the Pullman Bank in Chicago, where he was instrumental in initiating the Illinois Bank Charge before it was merged into the VISA brand; his integrity, drive, and experience caught the interest of several Joliet businessmen, who recruited him to lead the founding of Heritage Bank and Trust in 1971; he made various investments, including in the founding of International Games, distributor of the popular card game UNO, which enabled him to later realize his true lifelong ambitions of driving tractors and farming; after retirement, he purchased various farms and operated them with his sons; he also founded JJD Enterprises and Caton Farms; and

WHEREAS, John D'Arcy III and his wife actively served the communities of Plainfield and Joliet; he was President of the Joliet Rotary Club, a Plainfield Village Trustee, a member of the Plainfield Library Board, a trustee of the University of St. Francis in Joliet, and a longtime benefactor of Lewis University in Romeoville; and

WHEREAS, John D'Arcy III was preceded in death by his parents; and

WHEREAS, John D'Arcy III is survived by his wife of 67 years, Margaret Jeanette; his children, Margaret (Jim) Lacey, John (Diane), Kevin (Vicky), Terry (Sue), Patrick (Kathy), Candace (Tom) Nielsen, Michael (Beverly), and Tom (Sue); his grandchildren, Kristen Corcoran, Scott, Mike, and John Lacey, Jennifer Ness, John and Ryan D'Arcy, Jim, Brooke, and Andrew D'Arcy, Chris, Nick, Harry, and Jack D'Arcy, Beau D'Arcy, Bridget Platt, Brendan and Christian Nielsen, Stephanie Greene, Lauren Crawford, Jeff and Lucas D'Arcy, and Sean, Lily, and Aiden D'Arcy; 16 great-grandchildren; his brother, Edward (Barbara) D'Arcy; and several nieces and nephews; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we, along with his family and friends, celebrate the life and countless contributions of John Walsh D'Arcy III; and be it further

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