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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
HONORING THE LIFE OF FRANK ZUCCARELLI SERVANT OF THORNTON TOWNSHIP RESIDENT
WHEREAS, Frank Zuccarelli was Thornton Township Supervisor, with an unmatched history of service for over 38 years; and
WHEREAS, Frank lived in South Holland, Illinois, and was a Cook County resident who selflessly made extraordinary contributions to improve Thornton Township community; and
WHEREAS, Frank attended Thornton Community College (currently South Suburban College), where he earned two Associate Degree’s, as well as his bachelor’s degree from Governor State University; and
WHEREAS, Frank served as a member of the South Suburban College Board of Trustees since 1978. And in 2014, he received a service award from the Illinois Community College Trustees Association (CCTA) recognizing his 35 years of services as a community college trustee. During his tenure Frank witnessed the college system grown from a temporary building into the third largest community college system. He is the fifth person out of more than 2,200 to reach this level of success in the entire state of Illinois; and
WHEREAS, Frank has devoted his life to serving the resident of Thornton Township by creating programs for youth. The Zucarelli Assistance Program (ZAP) which started in 2004, that would allow teens ages 16 and older an opportunity to earn money mowing lawns of seniors. More than 1,000 residents benefited from this program. Thornton Township ran one largest food pantry’s among all other townships, hosting events at the Calumet City senior center and Park Districts. He really loved the people he served; and
WHEREAS, Frank has been awarded Township Supervisor of the Year in 1996, 2007, and 2012 and also the recipient of numerous other awards and honors, including; The Chicago Food Depository awards for War on Hunger and Quality Service, Community Leader Award, Civic Responsibility Award, Diversity Inc. Award, Distinguished Service Award from the Illinois Committee for Honest Government; and
WHEREAS, Since 2002 Frank Zuccarelli, served as Thornton township Committeeperson and in various executive committee positions. Leading a formidable multiracial-inter generational Township organization called the Z-Team. Under his leadership, they help elect numerous US President, Governors, and other officials, culminating the principal role he played assisting then-State Senator Barack Obama become US Senator in 2004. And again, helping him reach the presidency in 2008 and win re-election in 2012. There was numerous township officeholder, mayors, trustees, school board official that owe their careers and sought his counsel over the years; and
WHEREAS, Frank made politics his life, hosting his “Annual Mostaccioli ”dinner and Township meetings where political candidates would come to gain support from Thornton Township’s residents. He became a major power broker in the south suburbs; and
WHEREAS, Frank passed away peacefully at home on January 3, 2022; and
WHEREAS, is survived by siblings: sister Candace Paun (late John) of South Holland, IL, brother Kenneth V. (Jane Walmer) Zuccarelli of DeForest, WI, and his long-time girlfriend Carmen Canales of Dyer, IN., a host of aunts, uncles, cousins, friends, and “son” Nate Fields. Preceding him in death are parents Marjorie and James J. Zuccarelli and brother James T. Zuccarelli; 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 Frank Zuccarelli and honor the life and memory of this outstanding Cook County resident.
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