SR0732 101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0732 LRB101 14586 ALS 63493 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Luigi "Lou" Cardone, who passed away on May 3, 2019 at the age of 71; and

WHEREAS, Lou Cardone was born in Ceglie del Campo, Italy to Pasquale and Isabella Cardone on June 11, 1947; he was one of nine siblings; in 1955, the family moved to Chicago and lived on Taylor Street in the Little Italy neighborhood, later settling in Galewood; and

WHEREAS, Lou Cardone, along with his brother Johnny, bought the local Oak Park kosher deli restaurant, the Onion Roll, in 1984 and left an indelible mark on the North Avenue corridor and its surrounding communities for 30 years; and

WHEREAS, Lou Cardone created a community in his deli where everyone was welcomed and "people knew who you were and knew how you liked your coffee"; any topic could be discussed, from lighthearted conversations to deep and robust political discussions; and

WHEREAS, Lou Cardone was known to join the conversations and attempt to "solve the problems of the world"; he was a no-nonsense person, who was not afraid to "throw a few barbs at his regular customers" in jest; he gave the impression of being an assertive manager with good instincts about people; and

WHEREAS, In 1988, Lou Cardone found love at his deli when his future wife, Judy, walked in to purchase lox and bagels; she quickly became a regular at the restaurant; he eventually asked for her number, and they married in 1994; in their 31 years of marriage, they enjoyed taking 42 cruises together; and

WHEREAS, During his years at the Onion Roll, Lou Cardone woke up at 3 a.m. every day to pick up donuts and bagels before returning to the restaurant to begin prep for daily service; around 7:30 a.m., he returned home to bring his wife a cup of coffee with a scribbled love note on the cup; and

WHEREAS, Under his gruffness, Lou Cardone was sentimental with a "heart of gold," a man of integrity, a good person, and a better neighbor; during the years he owned the Onion Roll, he was pleased to know his community well and hoped his customers felt as if they were part of his family; and

WHEREAS, Lou Cardone was preceded in death by his parents, Pasquale and Isabella Cardone, and his siblings, Ralph (Darlene) Cardone, Lenny Cardone, and Lena Vasile; and

WHEREAS, Lou Cardone is survived by his loving wife, Judy Cardone; his brothers, Johnny Cardone and Frankie (Tina) Cardone; his sisters, Lisa (Peter) Capellani, Vita (Jack) De Carlo, and Jill Gallo; his daughter, Jennifer; his grandson, Brandon; and many nieces and nephews; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED FIRST GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Luigi "Lou" Cardone 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 Lou Cardone as an expression of our deepest sympathy.