SR1439 98TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR1439 LRB098 22446 MST 61366 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Jack J. Cerniglia; and

WHEREAS, Jack Cerniglia had a successful 60-year career in a highly competitive industry; at age 15, during the Great Depression, he began working for the National Tea Company grocery chain; by the time he was 17, he was promoted to Produce Specialist, where he began to demonstrate his talents for merchandising and customer relations; at age 18, he was offered the position of store manager for a troubled store and asked to turn it around, which he was extremely successful at; and

WHEREAS, Jack Cerniglia's career was interrupted with the start of World War II; he served in the 103rd Infantry 383rd HQ Battery as a Mess Sergeant; he saw combat in France, Italy, Austria, and Germany, and participated in liberation of the infamous Duchow concentration camp; and

WHEREAS, Following World War II, Jack Cerniglia recommitted himself to his grocery career; he taught himself produce, meats, groceries, bakery, deli, and more, but his passion was always marketing - reading the pulse of the customers and meeting their needs; eventually he was supervising 85 National Tea Company stores in a 3-state region; after a 41-year stint with the National Tea Company it was sold and he and the company parted ways; and

WHEREAS, Instead of retiring, Jack Cerniglia embarked on a second career; he joined LaPreferida, Inc. - a Chicago-based grocery, sprits, and produce company, specializing in ethnic markets; he retired at age 90; and

WHEREAS, Jack Cerniglia is the beloved husband of 63 years of Catherine; the loving father of Minnie (Harry) Gunderson, Jack (Ellie), and Joe (Cassie); the dearest grandpa of Michael (Lora), Michelle (John), Joseph, Matthew, Anne, Meg, Tim, John, Michael, and Dan; and the great-grandpa of Nicholas, Sammy, Jacob, and Justin; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-EIGHTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Jack J. Cerniglia, and extend our sincere condolences to his family, friends, and all who knew and loved him; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Jack Cerniglia as an expression of our deepest sympathy.