MEMORIAL RESOLUTION FOR THOMAS L. VASQUEZ
WHEREAS, Thomas Luna Vasquez left this earthly plane on July 25, 2019; and
WHEREAS, The City Council has been informed of his passing by the Honorable Michael D. Rodriguez, Alderman ofthe 22nd Ward; and
WHEREAS, Thomas Luna Vasquez was born October 12, 1943 in Matamoros, Mexico to Maria de Socorro L. Guzman and Jose T. Vasquez; and
WHEREAS, An immigrant to this country and hardworking provider for his family since his
teenage years in Mexico, Thomas eventually found his way to the Little Village neighborhood on
Chicago's Southwest Side; and . •
WHEREAS, In the early 1980s, Thomas met a group of young like-minded individuals questioning the lack of services and lack of representation in positions of power in the neighborhood; and
WHEREAS, Eventually going on to form an Independent Political Organization to address the needs of working class families in Little Village and North Lawndale, Thomas served the organization as a Vice President and Precinct Captain for numerous years, positions he held with conviction, pride, and honor; and
WHEREAS, Thomas spent 26 years working for the Chicago Transit Authority, and when he eventually retired, he remained active and engaged in his community and with his family; and
WHEREAS, Preceded in death by his wife, two sons, one grandson, parents, and brothers, loss never stopped Thomas from offering a helping hand or a kind word when needed; and
WHEREAS, Fiercely protective of those he loved, Thomas was equally as generous and kind to strangers, with his love of service and community extending from organizing block parties to working the polls on election day and attending Local School Council meetings; and
WHEREAS, As the oldest brother to many siblings, loving father of four sons, a grandfather, a great-grandfather, a great-great-grandfather, and a mentor and father figure to countless, Thomas Vazquez and his legacy will continue to be felt for generations to come; and
WHEREAS, Thomas leave...
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