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1
SENATE RESOLUTION

  
 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to 
3learn of the death of Gilbert "Sonny" Virgil Short of Moline, 
4who passed away on May 16, 2020; and
  
 
5    WHEREAS, Gilbert Short was born to Gale Gilbert and Alzora 
6(Hoskins) Short in Moline on March 12, 1938; he grew up on his 
7family's farm in Rock Island County and later in Mercer County 
8and graduated from Joy High School in 1956; after graduation, 
9Gilbert joined the U.S. Navy; and
  
 
10    WHEREAS, Gilbert Short farmed near Joy  and worked as a 
11welder, as well as a sand and gravel truck driver in 
12California; in 1968, he founded A-1 Fire Equipment in Moline 
13and later moved his business to Davenport, Iowa; he led his 
14company for the next 36 years until his retirement from the 
15fire protection equipment business in 2004; and
  
 
16    WHEREAS, Gilbert Short founded Speedway Fire and Rescue, a 
17volunteer fire department specializing in motorsports rescue; 
18for over 50 years, he worked to expand the organization with 
19dozens of professionally trained members working at several 
20racetracks around the region nearly every night of the week; he 
21was also an active member of the Coast Guard Auxiliary as a 
22Flotilla Commander along the Mississippi and Rock Rivers; and
  
 
 
 
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1    WHEREAS, Gilbert Short was a modest and good man whose 
2generosity and kindness touched many people throughout the 
3years; and
  
 
4    WHEREAS, Gilbert Short was preceded in death by his 
5parents; his daughter, Kathryn; his son, James; and his 
6brother, William; and
  
 
7    WHEREAS, Gilbert Short is survived by his three children, 
8Gilbert Wayne (Lisa), Deborah Short-Rico, and Curtis (Terumi); 
9his longtime companion, Kathy Gile;  her children, Kari (Kris) 
10Maltby, Misty (Aaron) Ganzer, and Joe; his sister, Sandra 
11Downing; and his grandchildren, Kristy, Andrea, Kevin, Ramon, 
12Gilberto, Vincente, Kelsey, Jessica, Aozora, and Asahi James; 
13therefore, be it
  
 
14    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED FIRST GENERAL 
15ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of

16Gilbert "Sonny" Virgil Short and extend our sincere
condolences 
17to his family, friends, and all who knew and loved
him; and be 
18it further
  
 
19    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be

20presented to the family of Gilbert Short as an expression of

21our deepest sympathy.