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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
HONORING THE LIFE AND MEMORY OF JERRY TAFT
WHEREAS, Jerry Taft was born on March 14, 1943 in Chappaqua, New York; and
WHEREAS, Jerry attended Georgia Tech for one year, then at 19 years old, joined the United States Air Force as a radar technician in Iowa; and
WHEREAS, Jerry married his high school sweetheart Shana that same year; and
WHEREAS, Jerry became a pilot, spent a year in Vietnam, and served as a classroom teacher for aviation and flight planning; and
WHEREAS, Jerry studied meteorology at the University of Wisconsin and earned his bachelor’s degree in 1969; and
WHEREAS, while in the military in San Antonio, Texas, Jerry met local weatherman Maclovio Perez whom he became friends with; and
WHEREAS, Maclovio was leaving Texas for another job and encouraged Jerry to pursue the meteorologist position; and
WHEREAS, Jerry’s meteorologist career took off and in less than six months, Jerry transitioned from Texas to Chicago; and
WHEREAS, Jerry forecast the weather on NBC 5 Chicago for five years; and
WHEREAS, Jerry joined ABC 7 Chicago in August 1984; and
WHEREAS, after forecasting weather on Chicago television for 42 years, Jerry retired on January 19, 2018; and
WHEREAS, Jerry enjoyed his retirement in Florida playing golf and kept his days and outgoing persona busy working part-time as an Uber driver; and
WHEREAS, in addition to his passion for golf, Jerry was known for his love of technology and for his laughter that could fill a room; and
WHEREAS, Jerry Taft passed away on July 23, 2020; and
WHEREAS, Jerry is survived by his wife Shana, and his children Skylar, Storm, Danna and Jay; and
WHEREAS, Jerry will be sorely missed by friends, family and colleagues throughout Cook County, IL and Florida; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT PROCLAIMED, that the President and the Cook County Board of Commissioners, on behalf of the residents of Cook County, hereby offer its deepest condolences and most heartfelt sympathy to the family of Jerry Taft.
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