City Council June 17th, 2020
Resolution Commemorating the 100th Birthday of Howard Lodding Sr
WHEREAS, Howard Lodding Sr. was born on June 23, 1920 on the south side of Chicago. He has been a resident of Chicago for all of his 100 years!
WHEREAS, The Chicago City Council has been informed of this milestone by the Honorable Patrick Thompson, Alderman of the 11th Ward; and
WHEREAS, Howard was a student of Chicago Public Schools and graduated from Kelly High School where he was an active member of Kelly High School's first ROTC program; and
WHEREAS, Howard was drafted into service for World War II in 1941 and was assigned to the United States Army's 319th Company. Howard achieved the rank of 1st Sergeant and served overseas in the Philippines. He was honorable discharged from the U.S. Army in 1945. He has been a very active member in his local VFW for over 75 years; and
WHEREAS, Howard met the love of his life Rose Mary Finnegan, a lifelong Bridgeport resident, in 1949 while attending a dance at the Trianon Ballroom in Woodlawn. They were married in September of 1950 at St. Bridget's Church and were married for 66 years. Rose Mary passed away in December 2016 at the age of 91. Howard and Rose Mary had three children that they raised in their house on South Throop Street in Bridgeport where Rose Mary was born; and
WHEREAS, Howard was hired as a substation operator for the Chicago Transit Authority in 1946 and worked there for 36 i4 years. He has been a proud union member of I.B.E.W. Local 134 for 75 years; and
WHEREAS, Howard is very proud of being a lifelong resident of Chicago. He volunteered with the VFW, worked the polls on election day, and volunteered at St. Barbara's Church. The things he has seen in his 100 years! He still enjoys sharing his stories of when he was growing up and drove a horse-drawn wagon dropping ice blocks at people's homes for their iceboxes, riding the streetcars and going to listen and dance to Glenn Miller; and
WHEREAS, Howard has filled his 38 years (and counting!) since his retirement wintering in Florida and spending time with his 6 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. He is an avid Chicago sports fan who follows the Cubs, Sox, Bulls, Blackhawks and of course Da Bears; and
BE IT RESOLVED, That we, the Mayor and members ofthe City Council ofthe City of Chicago, gathered here this seventeenth day of June 2020, do hereby congratulate Howard Lodding Sr. on his 100th birthday, and wish him continued happiness and success; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be prepared and presented to Howard Lodding Sr. as a token of our esteem, honor, and respect.