RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, Charles Hammersmith has been called to eternal life by the wisdom of God at the age of 91; and
WHEREAS, The Chicago City Council has been informed of his passing by Alderman Edward M. Burke; and
WHEREAS, A resident of Wheaton, Charles Hammersmith was the loving husband for 36 years of Louise; and
WHEREAS, Charles Hammersmith was the much-adored father of Chip, Steve, Ann and Mike, the grandfather of six and the great-grandfather of three to whom he imparted many of the fine and noble qualities that he possessed in abundance; and
WHEREAS, Born in Oak Park and raised in Elmhurst, Charles Hammersmith was a member of our "Greatest Generation"; and
WHEREAS, At the age of 18 Charles Hammersmith joined the United States Navy and fought for his country during World War II in the South Pacific Theatre of Operations; and
WHEREAS, Following the war, Charles Hammersmith graduated from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and in 1950 joined the family business, the Elmhurst-Chicago Stone Company; and
WHEREAS, Charles Hammersmith worked for sixty years with the company that grew to own land in Cook, DuPage, Kendall, Kane, McHenry and Will counties and operate gravel pits, concrete plants, asphalt plants and concrete pipe plants; and
WHEREAS, As President and Board Chair, Charles Hammersmith focused on strategic long-term planning and led the company's expansion efforts; and
WHEREAS, Charles Hammersmith was widely admired for his gentlemanly demeanor and concern for his employees; and
WHEREAS, Charles Hammersmith enjoyed spending winters with his wife at the Ocean Reef Club in Key Largo, Florida; and
WHEREAS, The hard work, sacrifice and dedication of Charles Hammersmith serve as an example to all; and
WHEREAS, His love of life and ability to live it to the fullest endeared Charles Hammersmith to his family members, friends and all who knew him, and enabled him to enrich their lives in ways they will never forget; and
WHEREAS, Charles Hammersmith was an individual of great integrity and accomplishment who will be dearly missed and fondly remembered by his many relatives, friends and admirers; and
WHEREAS, To his beloved family, Charles Hammersmith 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 seventeenth day of January, 2018, do hereby commemorate Charles Hammersmith for his grace-filled life and do hereby express our condolences to his family; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Charles Hammersmith.