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 sti...
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