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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
COMMEMORATING THE LIFE AND MEMORY OF OTTO CESARIO
WHEREAS, chances were quite good that if you found yourself in the Skokie Courthouse you had been warmly greeted at the door by Otto Cesario, official greeter, Deputy Sheriff and the welcoming face of the Cook County Courthouse branch in Skokie, Illinois for decades; and
WHEREAS, Otto Cesario, a man whose life was devoted to work, family, and faith, died March 31, 2014 leaving behind countless friends, co-workers, family and a community profoundly enriched for having known him; and
WHEREAS, Otto Cesario was legendary in his tireless commitment to work and faith. He continued to work right up to the end of his life and even ushered at his church, Saint Peter Parish in Skokie the Sunday before his passing; and
WHEREAS, Otto Cesario was born on January 24, 1917 in San Fili Calabria, Italy and emigrated to the United States with his family when he was thirteen years old; and
WHEREAS, Otto Cesario was a dedicated and hard-working public servant since 1957. He was elected by the Village of Skokie to be Deputy Constable in the 1960's, was later employed by the Cook County Assessor as a Field Examiner and was a State of Illinois Field Investigator of Registration and Education. In his last years he served as the Skokie Courthouse Official Information Officer until his death at age 97. He was appointed to the North Shore Mosquito Abatement District in 1979 and served there for over 35 years; he served as President and later as Trustee; and
WHEREAS, Otto Cesario held many jobs for the Cook County Sheriff, in additional to being a longtime Deputy Sheriff he also served as Assistant Chief Cook County Sheriff and building custodian at the Circuit Court of Cook County in Skokie and Rolling Meadows. His talents and charm also made him a success in business and as a wholesale liquor salesman; and
WHEREAS, Otto Cesario was a proud member of the Sons of Italy and served as President of the Donna F. Chesrow Lodge; and
WHEREAS, Otto Cesario served his country in the United States Army from 1942 until 1945. He traveled all over the United States as a French horn player in the 3rd Army Band. He was honorably discharged and was a member of the Skokie American Legion Post Number 320 for over sixty years and devoted hours of time organizing events for the Veterans of Foreign Wars; and
WHEREAS, Otto Cesario was the dotting father of the Honorable Cheryl D. Cesario, Christine Braun, Corinne Cesario Caroselli and the late Cindy Hall. He tragically lost his daughter Cindy, her husband and their two girls in an accident that devastated him, but made him treasure his family all the more; and
WHEREAS, Otto Cesario was a strong supporter of the Niles Township Democratic Organization for over sixty years and served at one point as the organization's president; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Commissioners of Cook County, on behalf of the 5.2 million residents of Cook County commemorates the extraordinary life of Otto Cesario, and herewith expresses its sincere gratitude for the invaluable contributions he has made to the Citizens of Cook County, Illinois; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a suitable copy of this Resolution be spread upon the official proceedings of this Honorable Body and that an official copy of the same be tendered to the family of Otto Cesario.
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