SR0619 100TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0619 LRB100 13181 MAS 27578 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of John Gerald "Jerry" Pavlak of Carpentersville, who passed away on May 24, 2017; and

WHEREAS, John Pavlak was born to John and Vera Pavlak on January 20, 1944 and was raised in Carpentersville by his mother and stepfather, Charles Bostwick; he graduated from high school and then served in the United States Marine Corps, Ninth Marines, Third Marine Division as a rifleman during the Vietnam War and achieved the rank of lance corporal; he received the Purple Heart for wounds received in action; his other awards included, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, the M-14 Rifle Marksman Badge, the .45 Pistol Sharpshooter Badge, and the Good Conduct Medal; he graduated with his Associate of Applied Science in Mental Health from Elgin Community College in 1976 and his bachelor's degree in psychology from Chicago State University in 1977; he went on to earn his master's degree in education from Northern Illinois University in 1980; and

WHEREAS, John Pavlak spent his career caring for the youth and the disabled at the Kane County Youth Home, the Larkin Home for Children, and the Little City Foundation; he was dedicated to achieving fairness and justice for those who could not stand up for themselves; he later worked as a business agent for Teamsters Union, Local 330 in Elgin and as a substitute teacher for Summit School in Dundee; and

WHEREAS, John Pavlak had a generous and caring heart and loved spending time with his grandchildren; he enjoyed listening to his eclectic music collection, watching movies, and fishing; and

WHEREAS, John Pavlak was a member of VFW Carpentersville Post 5195; and

WHEREAS, John Pavlak was preceded in death by his stepbrother, Jack Bostwick; and

WHEREAS, John Pavlak is survived by his daughter, Kimberly Russ, and his grandchildren, Arika Rose Zemola and Nathaniel Zemola; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDREDTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of John Gerald "Jerry" Pavlak, 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 John Pavlak as an expression of our deepest sympathy.