HR0854 101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0854 LRB101 21232 MST 71818 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives were saddened to learn of the death of Emilia Pontarelli, who passed away on April 10, 2020 due to complications from the new coronavirus; and

WHEREAS, Emilia Pontarelli was born in Rocchetta a Volturno, Italy on March 22, 1927, the second of eight children; she grew up Emilia Neri in the province of Isernia; and

WHEREAS, As a girl growing up in Italy, Emilia Pontarelli herded animals, goats, and sheep by herself, taking them up and down the mountain, running circles around everyone; and

WHEREAS, When the Germans occupied Emilia Pontarelli's town, they commandeered the Neri home as well as other families' homes in the village; on one occasion during this time when she was still a youth, she was held back by family members after confronting a German soldier who had confiscated her pet goat for dinner; and

WHEREAS, When the Nazis' bombing began, Emilia Pontarelli joined the local residents and sought refuge in caves in the mountains where they had to stay quiet to survive; and

WHEREAS, Emilia Pontarelli married Vincenzo Pontarelli, and they started their family; in 1967, they immigrated to Chicago in search of more opportunities for their three children, Tony, Maria, and Anna; and

WHEREAS, Even though Emilia Pontarelli moved to Chicago, she never indulged in a hot dog throughout her entire life because the Germans would eat them out of tin cans during the occupation; and

WHEREAS, Emilia Pontarelli's son, Tony, opened a deli in 1978, which was then purchased by his sister, Maria, and her husband, Vito, in 1980; Emilia could often be found stationed behind the cash register, which she began operating in the 1980s; and

WHEREAS, Because of Emilia Pontarelli's vibrant personality and cooking skills, the deli became a cornerstone in the northwest side Italian-American community known as Edison Park; and

WHEREAS, In her 90s, Emilia Pontarelli challenged her son-in-law to arm wrestle to show she still had the strength that had enabled her to climb the mountains in her hometown of Rocchetta a Volturno; and

WHEREAS, Emilia Pontarelli was preceded in death by her husband, Vincenzo; her daughter, Anna; her grandson, Freddie; her brother, Cori; and her sister, Gina; and

WHEREAS, Emilia Pontarelli is survived by her children, Tony and Maria; her sister, Amalia; her brothers, Michael, Antonio, Giovanni, and Pasquale; eight grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren; and

WHEREAS, The surviving siblings, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren of Emilia Pontarelli can be proud of the legacy and lasting impact their mother, sister, grandmother, and great-grandmother had on the community that dined in her daughter's deli; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED FIRST GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Emilia Pontarelli and extend our sincere condolences to her family, friends, and all who knew and loved her; and be it further

RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be presented to the family of Emilia Pontarelli and Tony's Italian Deli as an expression of our deepest sympathy and in appreciation for her devotion to her community.