SR0732 97TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

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SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Robert Phillip Conroy, Jr. of Waukegan, who passed away on March 25, 2012; and

WHEREAS, Robert Conroy, Jr. was born on November 6, 1927, in Wichita, Kansas; his parents are Robert Phillip Conroy, Sr. and Edna-Mae (Teevans) Conroy; and

WHEREAS, Robert Conroy, Jr. served his country with pride and distinction as a member of the United States Army during World War II; having been prepared for service in the European theater when VE Day was announced, he was then shipped out to Hawaii to serve in the Pacific Theater when VJ Day was announced; he ended up serving as one of the first Army forces in Korea during that conflict before his honorable discharge at the rank of Technical Sergeant 5th Class; and

WHEREAS, After his stint in the Army, Robert Conroy, Jr. attended Kansas State University to become a mechanical engineer; after marrying his first wife, Julia Marshall, he and his family moved to Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, where he worked in experimental design for the Mercury Marine Corporation for many years; after 25 years of marriage, Julie passed away from cancer in 1974; he later married his childhood friend, Ann Buche, in 1975, and he and his new family moved to Columbus, Wisconsin; after retiring from Mercury Marine, he started a new business, All Season Sport & Marine, in Columbus; in 1982, Ann, Bob and the remaining children at home moved to Waukegan, where he began working again as an engineer at Outboard Marine Corporation until his final retirement in 1995; and

WHEREAS, Robert Conroy, Jr. enjoyed reading, traveling, sailing, skiing, snowmobiling, racquetball, planting flowers, and caring for his cars, especially his 1968 Corvette convertible; he was a licensed pilot and enjoyed flying a small private plane; he was a member of the Experimental Aircraft Association for many years; in recent years, he enjoyed designing stained glass windows and ornaments, cultivating geraniums, and volunteering at the Senior Center in Waukegan; he was also the oldest male participant in the 2009 Walk for Seniors event at the local center; and

WHEREAS, Robert Conroy, Jr. was an active member of the Saint Anastasia Catholic Church with his wife, Ann; he was also a regular supporter of the St. Labre Indian School in Montana; and

WHEREAS, Robert Conroy, Jr. was preceded in death by his parents and his first wife, Julia (Marshall) Conroy; and

WHEREAS, Robert Conroy, Jr. is survived by his wife, Ann Buche Conroy; his children, Mark Conroy (Mary), Susie Buche (John Koker), Col. Joseph Buche (CJ), Martha Buche (Jim Pattison), Sarah Serdin (Mark), and James M. J. Buche; his grandchildren, Walter, Carolyn, Margaret, Abigail, Megan, Shelby, Kathryn, and William; his sister, Marie Zenker; his sister-in-law, Helenruth Welsby (Ralph); his brother-in-law, James Buche (Carolyn); and his many nieces, nephews, and extended family members; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-SEVENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn, along with his family and friends, the passing of Robert Phillip Conroy, Jr.; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Robert Conroy, Jr. as an expression of our sympathy.