RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, Joseph A. Seliga has been called to eternal life by the wisdom of God at the age of 95; and
WHEREAS, The Chicago City Council has been informed of his passing by Alderman Edward M. Burke; and
WHEREAS, A longtime civic leader in the Slovak-American community, Joseph A. Seliga was the loving husband for 46 years of the late Evelyn M., nee Barczak; and
WHEREAS, Joseph A. Seliga was the much-adored father of Joseph, the father-in-law of Vanessa and the cherished grandfather of Evelyn Maria "Emmy" to whom he imparted many of the fine and noble qualities that he possessed in abundance; and
WHEREAS, The beloved son of immigrant Slovak parents, Joseph A. Seliga was born to the late Joseph and Elizabeth Seliga, and was the dear brother of Edward and the late Emil; and
WHEREAS, Joseph A. Seliga lived his entire life in the Back of the Yards and Gage Park neighborhoods and resided in the same house at 5650 South Richmond Street since 1936; and
WHEREAS, Joseph A. Seliga's home was a place of respite, filled with books, arts and crafts and a resplendent garden; and
WHEREAS, Joseph A. Seliga graduated from Saint Rita High School in 1938 and Fox Secretarial College in 1939; and
WHEREAS, During World War II, Joseph A. Seliga served his country from September 14, 1942 to January 8, 1946 in the United States Coast Guard and was honorably discharged as a Storekeeper, First Class; and
WHEREAS, A meticulous and highly organized individual with exceptional speaking skills, Joseph A. Seliga worked from 1939 to 1957 as a Clerk and Tabulating Manager for Armour & Company; and
WHEREAS, Joseph A. Seliga went on to pursue a career in banking and worked for 28 years for Talman Federal Savings from which he retired in 1985 as Senior Vice President and Manager of Office Services; and
WHEREAS, A man of deep strength, integrity and character, Joseph A. Seliga was grounded in his faith, family and community; and
WHEREAS, Joseph A. Seliga was a member for more than 80 years of St. Simon the Apostle Church where he was an Eucharistic Minister, a Slovak and English lector, a member of the Parish Council and Chair of the parish's Finance Committee; and
WHEREAS, Joseph A. Seliga was a longtime Financial Secretary of Assembly 11, Slovak Catholic Sokol and a former Executive Secretary of St. Rita High School's Alumni Association; and
WHEREAS, The hard work, sacrifice and dedication of Joseph A. Seliga serve as an example to all; and
WHEREAS, Joseph A. Seliga will be dearly missed and fondly remembered by his many relatives, friends and admirers; and
WHEREAS, To his beloved family, Joseph A. Seliga imparts a legacy of faithfulness, service and dignity; now, therefore
BE IT RESOLVED, That we, the Mayor and the members of the Chicago City Council, assembled this eighteenth day of May, 2016, do hereby commemorate Joseph A. Seliga for his grace-filled life and do hereby express our condolences to his family; and
Alderman - 14th Ward
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Joseph A. Seliga.