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1 SENATE RESOLUTION
2 WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened
3 to learn of the death of Geoffrey John "Jeff" FitzGerald, who
4 passed away on September 26, 2022 at the age of 66; and
5 WHEREAS, Jeff FitzGerald was born on October 4, 1955 to
6 the late Christopher James FitzGerald III and Margaret Dell
7 (Daly) in Evanston; and
8 WHEREAS, In his earlier years, Jeff FitzGerald lived among
9 the water, woods, and tree houses of Evanston, Cincinnati,
10 Ohio, and Oak Park, the place his family called home the
11 longest; and
12 WHEREAS, Jeff FitzGerald was the fourth of nine children
13 and was known to his siblings as "Adventure Boy" due to his
14 intrepid spirit; and
15 WHEREAS, Jeff FitzGerald attended Oak Park and River
16 Forest High School and the Harrington College of Design; and
17 WHEREAS, Jeff FitzGerald was married to his high school
18 sweetheart, Marie (Riggs) FitzGerald, for 29 years; and
19 WHEREAS, Jeff FitzGerald shared homes and businesses in
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1 McGregor, Iowa and Minneapolis, Minnesota, before a
2 houseboating trip led him to small-town living in Lansing,
3 Iowa; and
4 WHEREAS, Jeff FitzGerald and his wife opened FitzGerald's
5 Inn Bed and Breakfast and completed their family of four
6 children, before settling in Dubuque, Iowa in 1997; and
7 WHEREAS, Jeff FitzGerald had a deep love for the
8 Mississippi River, historic buildings, gardening, and bringing
9 life back to things, from plants and flowers to hardwood
10 floors and trim; and
11 WHEREAS, Jeff FitzGerald had a discerning eye for
12 restoration and renovation, where others saw a lost cause he
13 saw potential; and
14 WHEREAS, Jeff FitzGerald loved music of all genres and
15 enjoyed setting the scene of any family event with music,
16 lighting, great food, and room for dancing; and
17 WHEREAS, Jeff FitzGerald was never at a loss for words; he
18 had a rich store of anecdotes for any listening ear, and where
19 laughter was needed, he could provide; and
20 WHEREAS, Jeff FitzGerald's jocular nature and infectious
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1 laugh could cure most ailments; and
2 WHEREAS, Jeff FitzGerald was dynamic and resilient, able
3 to overcome illness for the better part of three decades,
4 surpassing expectations and always living by his own terms and
5 timeline; and
6 WHEREAS, Jeff FitzGerald is survived by his children,
7 Meghan FitzGerald, Kyle (Callie) FitzGerald, Erin FitzGerald,
8 and Riley FitzGerald; their mother, Marie FitzGerald; his
9 eight grandchildren, Mikayla and Elijah Farber, Ruby
10 FitzGerald, Jaylen, Michelle and Maleyah FitzGerald, Tyler
11 Cassady, and Wesley FitzGerald-Meekins; his seven siblings,
12 Mary, Bill, Chris, Sheila, Brian, Catherine, and Terry; his
13 brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law; and many cherished nieces,
14 nephews, and cousins; therefore, be it
15 RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL
16 ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of
17 Geoffrey John "Jeff" FitzGerald and extend our sincere
18 condolences to his family, friends, and all who knew and loved
19 him; and be it further
20 RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
21 presented to the family of Jeff FitzGerald as an expression of
22 our deepest sympathy.
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