Bill Text: IL HR0854 | 2019-2020 | 101st General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Mourns the death of Emilia Pontarelli.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)

Status: (Passed) 2020-05-22 - Resolution Adopted [HR0854 Detail]

Download: Illinois-2019-HR0854-Introduced.html

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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

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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

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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.