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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, A life made rich through meaningful service drew to |
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a close with the passing of John Centilli of Waxahachie on |
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November 7, 2024, at the age of 95; and |
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WHEREAS, The son of F. L. and Mary Centilli, "J. D." Centilli |
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was born in Del Rio on October 31, 1929, and he grew up with the |
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companionship of six siblings, Florine, Bill, Junior, Frank, |
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Gerald, and Pat; a talented athlete, he ran track and played |
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football and basketball in high school, and while attending Texas |
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A&M University, he was a member of the Aggie football team; after |
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earning his bachelor's degree in physical education in 1952, he |
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served for two years as an officer in the U.S. Air Force, receiving |
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the National Defense Service Medal; and |
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WHEREAS, Following his tenure in the military, Mr. Centilli |
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returned to Texas A&M to obtain his master's degree in education; |
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while there, he met the love of his life, the former Pauline |
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Malazzo; the couple married on June 18, 1960, and they became the |
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proud parents of three sons, Doug, Jeff, and Greg; and |
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WHEREAS, Mr. Centilli enjoyed a long and rewarding career as |
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an educator, coach, and administrator; as a high school football |
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coach, his teams won multiple district championships and advanced |
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to the state finals; he ultimately became the assistant |
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superintendent of schools for the Waxahachie Independent School |
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District, where he retired in 1991; among his numerous accolades, |
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he was inducted into the Coastal Bend Coaches Association Hall of |
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Honor in 2000; and |
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WHEREAS, Active in his community, Mr. Centilli was a member |
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of the Knights of Columbus and president of the Waxahachie Lions |
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Club; he took pleasure in spending time on his land, tending to his |
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peach orchard, welding, and woodworking; a man of faith, he was a |
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longtime parishioner of St. Joseph Catholic Church; and |
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WHEREAS, While the passing of J. D. Centilli brings great |
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sadness to his family and friends, he leaves behind a legacy that |
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will long be treasured by all those who held him dear; now, |
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therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 89th Texas |
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Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of John Centilli and that |
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sincere condolences be extended to the members of his family: to his |
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wife, Pauline Centilli; to his sons, Doug, Jeff, and Greg Centilli; |
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to his brother, Pat Centilli, and his wife, Martha; and to his other |
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relatives and friends; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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prepared for his family and that when the Texas House of |
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Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of J. D. |
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Centilli. |