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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
CELEBRATING THE 100TH BIRTHDAY OF JOSEPH LEVAR JR.
WHEREAS, Joseph J. Levar Jr., a lifetime resident of the Jefferson Park community will celebrate the remarkable milestone of his 100th birthday on November 22, 2026; and
WHEREAS, he has witnessed a century of extraordinary history and change while building a lasting legacy rooted in family, faith and devotion to his community; and
WHEREAS, Joseph J. Levar Jr. was born into the Our Lady of Victory Parish on November 23, 1926, to Joseph and Myrtle Levar. Joseph was one of three children, brother Robert Levar and sister Marilyn Gast, all who attended Our Lady of Victory School. Joseph went on to graduate from Carl Schurz High School where he was a member of the ROTC where he qualified for pre-flight. When he graduated from high school, he immediately enlisted in the Army. He attended Northwestern University, where he graduated with a degree in business and marketing; and
WHEREAS, Joseph married the love of his life, Dolores Berney Levar on May 13, 1950, at Our Lady of Victory Church and went on to have six sons, all of whom graduated from Our Lady of Victory school, St. Patrick High School and various colleges; and
WHEREAS, Joseph worked for Coca-Cola USA for 40 years. He began as a travelling salesman and worked his way up to Prestige Account Executive before retiring in 1986; and
WHEREAS, Joseph was an active member of his Northwest Side community participating in the Men’s Choral Club and President of the OLV Holy Name Society as well as a Eucharistic Minister at Our Lady of Victory Parish, a proud member of the Kiwanis Club of Portage Park which he formed in 1990, a precinct captain for the 45th Ward Democratic Organization for 45 years, and Institutional Rep for Boy Scouts Portage District; and
WHEREAS, Joseph and Dolores were married for over 65 years before Dolores’ passing on February 16, 2016. Joseph, an avid lifelong Cubs fan, proposed to Dolores, also an avid lifelong Cubs fan, in the Wrigley Field bleachers and they attended hundreds of games together. Joseph believes that Dolores was acting as an angel for the Cubs after her passing and that is what helped them win the World Series that same year; and
WHEREAS, Joseph is the loving father of the Honorable Patrick J. Sr. (Mary Ann), Michael (Joan), Thomas (Debra), Gerald (Robbin), Joseph III, and Daniel (Robin). He has 13 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren who he absolutely adores and talks about with pride to anyone that will listen; and
WHEREAS, Joseph J. Levar Jr. was a devoted husband and brother and is a devoted father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother-in-law, uncle, cousin, and cherished friend to many, and richly deserves the warm and fond wishes of his family and friends as he marks this birthday milestone; and
WHEREAS, on behalf of the entire 12th District, Cook County Commissioner Bridget Degnen extends her personal tribute to Joseph J. Levar Jr. on this momentous occasion in recognition of his remarkable life and his many years as a valued resident of the 12th District of Cook County; and
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that we, the Cook County Board of Commissioners, assembled this 14th day of October 2026, do hereby congratulate Joseph J. Levar Jr. on his 100th birthday and extend our best wishes for continued happiness, good health, and many more cherished moments with his family and friends; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Joseph J. Levar Jr. as a symbol of our admiration, appreciation, and warmest wishes on this extraordinary milestone.
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