SR1268 100TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR1268 LRB100 15821 ALS 31320 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, the members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Raymond Zotti, who passed away on October 18, 2017 at the age of 100; and

WHEREAS, Raymond Zotti was born on September 3, 1917 and was a native of the South Side of Chicago until 1966, when he moved to Oak Park; and

WHEREAS, Raymond Zotti, following in his father's footsteps, worked in railroading, first for the New York Central System, where he was chief clerk in the master mechanic's office, and later with the Association of American Railroads; and

WHEREAS, Raymond Zotti was a union man to the core and served for many years as financial secretary of his local of the Brotherhood of Railway, Airline and Steamship Clerks; and

WHEREAS, Raymond Zotti's lifelong passion, taken up in his teens, was racing homing pigeons, about which he could speak for hours; among his proudest achievements, his pigeons came "first in city" twice in weekly races; and

WHEREAS, Raymond Zotti and his birds were featured in the suburban Chicago Tribune, The Wall Street Journal, and on ABC7 News with Frank Mathie; and

WHEREAS, Raymond Zotti and his late wife, Mary Irene, renovated two homes, the first in Chicago's Austin neighborhood and the second in Oak Park, where the couple raised six children; and

WHEREAS, Raymond Zotti was an artist who produced beautiful drawings; he was also a talented musician, who periodically entertained the family with impromptu piano recitals that invariably concluded with a bravura rendition of "Under the Double Eagle"; and

WHEREAS, Raymond Zotti was noted for his stubborn perfection and his bold, attractive handwriting; and

WHEREAS, Raymond Zotti kept his wits about him until the end; when told he deserved a beer after struggling up the front steps with the aid of his sons and grandson following Mary Irene's funeral in 2015, he said, "Make it two"; and

WHEREAS, Raymond Zotti was preceded in death by his beloved and patient wife, Mary Irene; his dear sister, Marie, and her husband, William Hansen; his sister-in-law, Mary Anne Zotti; and his loving son-in-law, Thomas Gavin; and

WHEREAS, Raymond Zotti is survived by his siblings, Tom, Albert, and Blanche; his children, Edward (Mary Lubben), Robert (Barbara), John (Christine), Eileen (David) Wargo, Margaret (Michael Leonetti) Gavin, and William (Allison) Zotti; his grandchildren, Ryan (Betty), Ani and Andrew Lubben Zotti, Michael, Matthew (Frances), Shayne, Kevin and Brian Zotti, Jack (Suzy), Margaret, and Patrick Zotti, David and Laura Wargo, Kristine and Shannon Gavin, and Christopher (Rachel), Emily, and Matthew Zotti; his great-grandchildren, Olivia, Jane, and Henry Zotti and Liam Zotti; many nieces and nephews; and his devoted caregiver, Nenita Johnson; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDREDTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Raymond Zotti, 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 Raymond Zotti as an expression of our deepest sympathy.