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1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of
3Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of Joseph J.
4"Joe" "Mr. Fourth of July" Marino of Rockford, who passed away
5on November 21, 2018; and
 
6    WHEREAS, Joe Marino was born in Rockford to Gaspare and
7Francesca (Cacioppo) Marino on September 27, 1926; he served in
8the United States Navy on the destroyer USS Henderson, which
9operated in the South Pacific and was based in Pearl Harbor
10during World War II; he was honorably discharged July 24, 1946;
11he received the Victory medal, the American Area Campaign
12Medal, and the Asiatic Pacific Area Campaign Medal; he married
13Louise in Rockford in 1952; and
 
14    WHEREAS, Joe Marino was the TV pitchman for the Hanley
15Furniture store in downtown Rockford from the 1950s until the
161970s; he was a longtime employee of Project First Rate; and
 
17    WHEREAS, Since 1963, Joe Marino had been in charge of the
18Rockford Fourth of July Committee and, with the help of
19volunteers and donations, turned Rockford's annual fireworks
20show into one of the biggest and best shows in Illinois; he
21turned the Fourth of July into a day of celebrating family,
22friends, and America with a patriotic-themed breakfast, a

 

 

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1parade, and a pyrotechnic display that united the community and
2brought in thousands of people; one year, when there was not
3enough money for the fireworks show, he took a second mortgage
4on his house to pay for it; he also organized other events for
5Rockford families, including the Festival of Lights in
6Sinnissippi Park; and
 
7    WHEREAS, Joe Marino was officially recognized as Mr. Fourth
8of July by Mayor John McNamara on July 2, 1981, and July 4,
91981 was proclaimed "Joe Marino Day"; he was also recognized as
10Mr. Fourth of July by President Ronald Reagan; in early 2010,
11he was honored with a life-size bronzed statue, which was
12placed in Joe Marino Park; and
 
13    WHEREAS, Joe Marino was known for his outgoing personality,
14jovial nature, and tireless dedication to the city he called
15home; a beloved civic leader who championed community
16celebrations and festivals for half a century, he inspired
17generations of local children and adults to enthusiastically
18embrace the values of love, honor, and service to their city,
19country, and families; and
 
20    WHEREAS, Joe Marino was preceded in death by his wife,
21Louise; therefore, be it
 
22    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE

 

 

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1HUNDREDTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we
2mourn the passing of Joseph J. "Joe" "Mr. Fourth of July"
3Marino and extend our sincere condolences to his family,
4friends, and all who knew and loved him; and be it further
 
5    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
6presented to the family of Joe Marino as an expression of our
7deepest sympathy.