RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, Edward F. McElroy has gone to his eternal reward at the age of 91; and
WHEREAS, The Chicago City Council has been informed of this event by Alderman Edward M. Burke; and
WHEREAS, A resident of Oak Lawn, Edward F. McElroy was the loving and devoted husband of Rita; and
WHEREAS, Edward F. McElroy was the much-adored father of Edward T., Beth and David (C.F.D.-Ret.) and the grandfather of six to whom he imparted many of the fine and noble qualities that he possessed in abundance; and
WHEREAS, The son of Joseph and Elizabeth, Edward F. McElroy was raised in Visitation Parish and served in the United States Army Air Corps from 1944 to 1945; and
WHEREAS, A member of "Our Greatest Generation," Edward F. McElroy lived for many years in the Beverly neighborhood and began his broadcasting career in 1946 working with Bob Elson, a former Chicago White Sox Broadcaster; and
WHEREAS, A man of great charm and talent, Edward F. McElroy became a well-known on-air personality and worked in sports and news with stations WJOB, WIND and WJJD; and
WHEREAS, In 1986 Edward F. McElroy founded a public relations firm that represented organizations such as the Fraternal Order of Police, the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District, trade unions and judicial candidates; and
WHEREAS, Throughout the course of his life, Edward F. McElroy became the friend of legions of people he knew on a first-name basis, from newspaper editors and highly-placed government officials to hotel doormen and crossing guards; and
WHEREAS, Chicago Sun-Times columnist Neil Steinberg paid homage to Edward F. McElroy by writing "The Art of Backscratching in Chicago: Driving with Ed McElroy" in which he described how the old-school public relations veteran provided him a "portal" to understanding the City of Chicago; and
WHEREAS, Edward F. McElroy also hosted the "Community in Focus" cable television show where his guests were a reflection of his wide and ever-expanding impressive circle of contacts; and
WHEREAS, Beyond his dedication to the broadcast and public relations professions, Edward F. McElroy generously gave of himself to many worthwhile civic and social causes; and
WHEREAS, For many years, Edward F. McElroy entertained hospitalized veterans across Chicagoland as well as children at LaRabida Children's Hospital and at the Joseph P. Kennedy School for Exceptional Children; and
WHEREAS, Edward F. McElroy's close ties with the Chicago Police Department were evident through his efforts to ensure the welfare of police officers and their families; and
WHEREAS, Edward F. McElroy was a past National Commander of the Catholic War Veterans of the United States of America and a past Illinois State Commander of that organization; and
WHEREAS, Edward F. McElroy was an individual of great integrity and accomplishment who will be dearly missed by his many friends and admirers; now, therefore
BE IT RESOLVED, That we, the Mayor and the members of the Chicago City Council, assembled this first day of November, 2016, do hereby commemorate Edward F. McElroy for his grace-filled life and do hereby express our condolences to his family; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Edwardf F. McElroy. /
