SR1184 102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR1184 LRB102 28938 LAW 40833 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of James Francis "Jim" Flynn of West Peoria, who passed away on September 1, 2022; and

WHEREAS, Jim Flynn was born to James Leo and Anna C. Neylon Flynn in Peoria on July 6, 1934; he graduated from St. Cecelia's Catholic School in 1948 and Spalding Institute in 1952; he served in the U.S. Naval Reserves from 1953 to 1961; he married Patricia "Trish" Brophy at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Peoria on June 2, 1962, and they raised their family in West Peoria; and

WHEREAS, Jim Flynn joined the Plumbers Union Local 63 in 1953 and was a union member for 69 years, holding the offices of president, assistant business manager, and business manager when he retired in 1993; he also served as the vice president of the Illinois Pipe Trades Association and president of District Council 34 until he retired; and

WHEREAS, Jim Flynn served as an alderman for the City of West Peoria and as a township trustee of West Peoria Township for many years; he was named grand marshal of the West Peoria 4th of July Parade in 2016; and

WHEREAS, Jim Flynn was proud of his Irish heritage and belonged to the St. Patrick's Society of Peoria, the Friends of Clonmel, and the Ancient Order of Hibernians, where he chaired many committees and served as vice president for a term; he was awarded Hibernian of the Year in 1997; and

WHEREAS, Jim Flynn was determined to help his grandchildren live their best lives and worked hard to raise funds for and increase awareness of the disease Cystic Fibrosis; he co-founded the Flynn Foundation for Cystic Fibrosis and was involved in countless fundraising efforts of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation of Peoria; for his efforts, he received the Richard Lee Award, the Breath of Life Award in 2011, and the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Volunteer of the Year Award in 2012; and

WHEREAS, Jim Flynn was a member of St. Mark's Catholic Church and a past member of the Spalding Council Knights of Columbus; his favorite sports teams were the Chicago Cubs, the Chicago Bears, the University of Notre Dame football team, and any team on which his grandchildren played; he enjoyed watching birds and squirrels and loved his little dog, Sparky; and

WHEREAS, Jim Flynn was preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Marikaye; his brothers-in-law, Scotty Maas, Marshall Hopping Jr., Merv Haycock, Jack Kocher, Jim Casey, John Brophy, and Bill Brophy; his sisters-in-law, Sister Madeliene Marie Brophy and Jean Ann Brophy; and his grandson, Will Flynn; and

WHEREAS, Jim Flynn is survived by his wife, Trish; his children, Bridget (Vince) Kemper, Maureen (Bill) Birdoes, Margaret "Peggy" (Tom) Dwyer, Timothy (Katy) Flynn, and James (Tricia Fox) Flynn; his 19 grandchildren; his four step-grandchildren; his three great-grandchildren; his sister, Carol Hopping; and his many nieces, nephews, and cousins; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED SECOND GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of James Francis "Jim" Flynn 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 Jim Flynn as an expression of our deepest sympathy.