SR1095 99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR1095 LRB099 14732 MST 38880 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Peter Gerontes of Peoria, who passed away on October 7, 2015; and

WHEREAS, Peter Gerontes was born in Peoria on March 24, 1931 to Socrates and Katherine (nee Litsadorpoulas) Gerontes; he attended Woodruff High School and served in the United States Army during the Korean War; he married Judith E. Worries on May 10, 1959 at All Saints Greek Orthodox Church in Peoria; and

WHEREAS, Peter Gerontes joined the Peoria Police Department in 1958, working there for 27 years and attaining the rank of Sergeant; he assisted in the development of the first Crime Scene Unit Forensics Lab at the Peoria Police Department; it was there that he provided the first fingerprint as evidence that led to a murder conviction in Peoria County; he later joined the Peoria County Sheriff's Department in 1985 at the rank of Captain, retiring as Field Operations Commander; and

WHEREAS, Peter Gerontes was Policeman of the Year in 1965 and was awarded the Combat Valor Award in October of 1966; and

WHEREAS, Peter Gerontes was preceded in death by his parents; and

WHEREAS, Peter Gerontes is survived by his wife, Judith; his children, Nicholas P. (Cynthia) Gerontes, Lisa (Joseph) Gerontes-Bowe, and Gregory (Karen) Gerontes; his 6 grandchildren, J. Michael Bowe, Chloe Bowe, Katherine Gerontes, Matthew Gerontes, Eleni Gerontes, and Lt. Jason Gerontes; his sister, Helen S. Koulogeorge; and his 2 nieces, Marina Koulogeorge and Nina Koulogeorge; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Peter Gerontes, 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 Peter Gerontes as an expression of our deepest sympathy.