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1
SENATE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened 
3to learn of the death of Benedetto "Benny" Vitale of Cinisi, 
4Sicily, formerly of Beardstown, who passed away on December 7, 
52024; and
 
6    WHEREAS, Benny Vitale, the son of Onorato and Antonia 
7Lentini Vitale, was born in Cinisi, Sicily on April 21, 1946; 
8he married Caterina "Cathy" Giambanco in Capaci, Sicily on 
9June 8, 1978; and
 
10    WHEREAS, Benny Vitale came to the United States to look 
11for work, settling in Beardstown, where he opened Benny's 
12Pizza; after marrying his wife, Cathy, in Sicily, they 
13returned to Beardstown to raise their family and run Benny's 
14Pizza; over the years, he grew Benny's Pizza into a staple of 
15Beardstown and the surrounding communities, becoming friends 
16with many of his customers in the process; and
 
17    WHEREAS, Benny Vitale adored his family and loved spending 
18his time with them; in retirement, he enjoyed gardening and 
19taking care of his little piece of land in the mountains of 
20Sicily, where he grew fruit trees and cactus fruits; when 
21returning to visit his family in the U.S., he always found his 
22way back in the kitchen to make pizza, drawing flocks of 
 
 
SR1330- 2 -LRB103 43541 LAW 76879 r

1customers to Benny's for a pizza made by him; and
 
2    WHEREAS, Benny Vitale's legacy will live on through his 
3children, as Antonio now runs Benny's Pizza in Beardstown, 
4Rosalinda operates Benny's Pizza in Rushville, and Gianni owns 
5Gianni's Pizza in Pittsfield; and
 
6    WHEREAS, Benny Vitale is survived by his wife; his sons, 
7Antonio and Gianni (Rachel) Vitale; his daughter, Rosalinda 
8(Domenico) Leone; and seven grandchildren; therefore, be it
 
9    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL 
10ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of 
11Benedetto "Benny" Vitale and extend our sincere condolences to 
12his family, friends, and all who knew and loved him; and be it 
13further
 
14    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be 
15presented to the family of Benny Vitale as an expression of our 
16deepest sympathy.