RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, God in His Infinite Wisdom has called Donald Marion Pedro, most beloved citizen, to his eternal reward on April 30, 2017; and
WHEREAS, This esteemed body has been notified of his passing by the Honorable Carrie M. Austin, Alderman of the 34th Ward; and
WHEREAS, Born on July 7th, 1929 in Manhattan, New York, Donald Marion. Pedro was the adored son of George and Georgie Pedro. He initially attended Brooklyn College in 1947 but transferred and completed his undergraduate degree at Lincoln University in Pennsylvania in 1951. He graduated from Howard University Medical School in 1955 after serving an internship at Harlem Hospital in New York City; and
WHEREAS, During his time at Howard University Medical School, he met and married Dolores Massey from Evanston, Illinois, and they were blessed with three children; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Pedro enlisted in the U.S. Army and served in the 82nd Medical Company - 82nd Airborne Division in Ft. Bragg, North Carolina from 1957 until 1959 and was honorably discharged; and
WHEREAS, Upon relocating back to Chicago, Dr. Pedro established the Morgan Park Medical Center to continue his private practice. At that time, he was the only physician in the greater Chicagoland area to make house calls to patients unable to travel to his office for treatment and continued to provide this service until his retirement in March of 2008; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Donald Pedro married three more times: to Lorraine Baskerville in May of 1966 and they were blessed with two children and adopted one more; Elaine Sharon Davis in June of 1986 and they were blessed with a daughter and a son; and Isabel G. Henderson in April of 1995 and they were blessed with three daughters; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Pedro was a constant contributor to the Morgan Park Community. He supported the Jackie Robinson West Little League and its annual parade. He also annually participated in Phoebe's Place Health Fair at the Maple Park United Methodist Church and the Gatling's Chapel Annual Fest; and
WHEREAS, In the 1996 and 2000 presidential elections, Dr. Pedro was appointed by then Illinois Senate President, Emil Jones Jr., to serve as a member of the Electoral College; and
WHEREAS, In October of 2000, Halsted Street between 111th and 112th streets was honorably named "Dr. Donald M. Pedro Way" in recognition and
appreciation from the community he served and was so beloved by as a dedication for selfless service; and
WHEREAS, During his active membership in the Midwest Bridge Unit, Dr. Pedro appointed president and honored with a Lifetime Membership Award from the American Bridge Association in 2005; and
WHEREAS, Left to treasure his life and memories are his sister, Laura (Carol); his children, Donald Jr. (Alese), Bruce (LaJuan), Patrice, Anthony (Heather), Sharon, Ishida (Jim), Garnett, Valerie, and Laura, and; stepchildren, Donielle, Christopher, Natalie, Victoria, Michelle (Charles), and a host of nieces, nephews, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Donald Marion Pedro was preceded in death by his first wife, Dolores Massey; fourth wife, Isabel G. Henderson; his children, James, Riccardo, and Donna; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED, That we, the Mayor and members of the City Council of the City of Chicago, gathered here this twenty-fourth day of May, 2017, do hereby express our sorrow on the passing of Dr. Donald Marion Pedro and extend to his family our sincere condolences.
CARRIE M. AUSTIN Alderman, 34th Ward
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be prepared and presented to the family of Dr. Donald Marion Pedro as a sign of our sympathy.