MEMORIAL RESOLUTION FOR FRANK ROTUNDO
WHEREAS, It is with great sadness that the members of this chamber learned of the death of local legend, Frank Rotundo, on October 11, 2018 at the age of eighty-three; and
WHEREAS, The Chicago City Council has been informed of his passing by the Honorable Margaret Laurino, Alderman ofthe 39th Ward; and
WHEREAS, Frank Rotundo began his life in Paterson, New Jersey, the child of Italian immigrants. As a young man, he set off to drive west from NJ to California and had a car accident that left him stranded in Chicago. Fortuitously, his need to stay in the area led to his meeting Jamie, who eventually became his beloved wife. At the time Jamie was working at Allegretti's Restaurant on Peterson Avenue. Frank joined her there and learned to mix drinks. This series of events resulted in the Chicago area becoming his home for the remainder of his life - and the launch of his decades-long and memorable career as a professional bartender. Frank and Jamie married in 1971. They were blessed with four wonderful boys and raised their family in Hanover Park, IL; and
WHEREAS, Frank was the quintessential bartender, always dressed impeccably for the job in a white shirt, dress slacks, and a black vest. He served his customers with care and showed a genuine interest in their lives, demonstrating the kind of humility and kindness that people were naturally drawn to. Frank was always at the ready to lend an ear, offer some advice, or just talk about whatever was happening in his customers' world. Rich Melman, chairman of the well-known Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises, credits Frank for contributing to the success of the restaurant and hospitality company he founded, sharing that people would come in just to see Frank and that it was because of him that people would want to come back. He described Frank as "part therapist, part bartender, part friend"; and
WHEREAS, In addition to his early work at Allegretti's, Frank's bartending included stints at the Pump Room, serving celebrities such as Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Sammy Davis and other luminaries from the sports and entertainment world; forty-eight years at "Frank's Tap" inside L. Woods Tap and Pine Lodge in Lincolnwood; and its predecessors, Bones and Kenilworth Inn. Frank served thousands of people over the course of his life working at these establishments, always treating everyone like they were a VIP; and
WHEREAS, Frank leaves to love, cherish and honor his memory: his adoring wife, Jaime; his loving sons, Chris, John (Lisa), Rob (Tiffany) and Michael Rotunda; precious grandchildren Brianna, Rebecca, Taylor, Luca, John, Dominick and Joe; his fond siblings Joseph (the late Jean), Anthony (Bea) and Vince (Adrian) Rotundo and Rose (Joseph) Lijoi; and many more treasured family and friends; and
WHEREAS, Frank was known by his family and friends to always have cash in his pocket - a positive consequence of the tips he regularly received for his fine service. Upon seeing his grandkids he would fold up a $5 bill and give it to them. In a heartwarming reciprocal gesture, each of his grandchildren put $5 in his pocket at his funeral; and
WHEREAS, Frank was an Army veteran who served in the Korean War. His dedication to his country is thereby honored by the choice of his final resting place, the Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery in Elwood, IL; and
WHEREAS, Frank touched and enhanced the lives of all who knew him through his kindness, generosity, warm and hospitable spirit. He will be deeply missed but the memory of his character, compassionate care and commitment for his family and his work will live on in those who knew; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED, That we, the Mayor and Members of the City Council of the City of Chicago, assembled this twelfth day of December, 2018, do hereby extend our most heartfelt condolences to the family of Frank Rotundo; and
MARGARET LAURINO Alderman, 39th Ward
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be prepared and presented to the family of Frank Rotundo as a sign of our honor and respect.
