MEMORIAL RESOLUTION HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF MARCO LACAVA
WHEREAS, Marco LaCava, the "Mayor of Belden Avenue" and beloved neighbor and friend, passed away on September 8, 2020, at the age of 67; and
WHEREAS, The Chicago City Council has been informed of Marco's passing by the Honorable Michele Smith, Alderman ofthe 43rd Ward; and
WHEREAS, Marco lived in his condo at Belden Avenue and Geneva Terrace for 25 years and was a fixture in his Lincoln Park neighborhood, where he was affectionately known by his neighbors as "the Mayor of Belden Avenue"; and
WHEREAS, Following an early retirement after a successful sales career at Sara Lee, Marco managed a book store on Lincoln Avenue, and went on to manage John Barleycorn until the building was sold; he was loved by everyone at the bar, from the early crowd of seniors and families to the younger late crowd and staff alike, and he always extended a warm greeting to all; and
WHEREAS, On most days, Marco would be seen walking up and down Belden Avenue and Geneva Terrace sweeping sidewalks, shoveling snow, clearing crosswalks before school, blowing leaves, clearing clogged storm drains, replacing bricks in the parkway, planting flowers, and generally taking care of not only his building, but his entire neighborhood; and
WHEREAS, Marco knew everyone and everyone knew him, including the local mail carriers, delivery drivers, garbage collectors, police officers, dog walkers, and all of his neighbors; if he wasn't working on improving the area, he was talking with everyone who came by; and
WHEREAS, Marco took particularly good care of and always looked after the senior citizens in the neighborhood, helping many with home repairs, shoveling their sidewalks, taking in their mail when they were away, and bringing mail to seniors who were in rehab; when it snowed, he would run his snow blower from one comer to the next to clear everyone's sidewalks; and
WHEREAS, While he cared for people of all ages in his community, Marco was most concerned about the neighborhood children getting to Abraham Lincoln Elementary and would frequently wake up early to clear snow from the sidewalks and make sure the corners were clear so the children could cross the street safely; Marco's presence was so known and appreciated by all that once, after a car accident on the corner, a student's mother was heard saying, "Call Marco, he'll help"; and
WHEREAS, In his condo building, Marco was everyone's "go to guy" and never failed to help his neighbors carry heavy items up three or four flights of stairs, deliver packages to his neighbors' doors, and ensure the lobby was always clear; he also added lighting to the building to make it safer for everyone; and
WHEREAS, Marco was not only a great neighbor and a terrific "Mayor of Belden Avenue", he was also a great friend and a kind and generous soul who will be deeply missed by all; now, therefore
BE IT RESOLVED, That we, the Mayor and members of the City Council of the City of Chicago, gathered here this seventh day of October, 2020, do hereby extend our most heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of Marco LaCava; and
MICHELE SMITH Alderman, 43th Ward
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be prepared and presented to the family and friends of Marco LaCava as a sign of our honor and respect.