RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, George J. Cotsirilos has been called to eternal life by the wisdom of God at the age of ninety; and
WHEREAS, The City Council has been informed of his passing by Alderman Edward M. Burke; and
WHEREAS, George J. Cotsirilos was a distinguished member of the legal community and the loving and devoted husband of Joan M. Hall and the late Theresa L.; and
WHEREAS, George J. Cotsirilos was the much-adored father of Stephanie, John and George, Jr., and the dear stepfather of Colin, Christina, Lynn and Justin Hall to whom he imparted many of the fine and noble qualities which he possessed in abundance; and
WHEREAS, George J. Cotsirilos was the beloved grandfather of eight grandchildren and the dear brother of Betty Angelos; and
WHEREAS, The son of Greek immigrants, George J. Cotsirilos was raised on the West Side and earned his undergraduate and law degrees from the University of Chicago; and
WHEREAS, During World War II, George J. Cotsirilos served his country as a member of the United States Navy; and
WHEREAS, Respected on both sides of the aisle, George J. Cotsirilos began his career with the Cook County State's Attorneys Office and as a young prosecutor in 1949 helped question a woman accused of shooting a professional baseball player, a case which inspired the book on which the movie The Natural was based; and
WHEREAS, George J. Cotsirilos worked for decades as a prominent Chicago criminal defense attorney and represented a string of high-profile clients ranging from union boss Jimmy Hoffa to a Chicago police officer charged in the infamous Summerdale Police District burglary ring; and
WHEREAS, George J. Cotsirilos will be remembered by his colleagues as an imaginative, charming trial attorney who was absolutely committed to his clients; and
WHEREAS, An incredible orator, George J. Cotsirilos was generous with his time and talents, mentoring three generations of trial lawyers; and
WHEREAS, The hard work, sacrifice and dedication of George J. Cotsirilos serve as an example to all; and
WHEREAS, George J. Cotsirilos will be dearly missed and fondly remembered by his many relatives, friends and colleagues; and
WHEREAS, To his beloved family, George J. Cotsirilos 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 thirteenth day of April, 2011, do hereby commemorate George J. Cotsirilos 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 George/ Cotsirilos.
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