Samuel A. Guzzardo

Samuel A. Guzzardo, 85, of Macomb, IL, died Sunday, March 10, 2002 at Bethesda Memorial Hospital in Boynton Beach, FL. He was born Feb. 1, 1917 in Rockford, the son of George and Margaret Mangiarcina Guzzardo. He married Vera Gagliano in Rockford, IL in 1947 and she survives. Also surviving are three sons, Paul of St. Louis, MO, David of Kewanee, IL and George (Paulette) of Macomb, IL; one daughter, Mary Teresa (Gregory) Kessler of Macomb, IL; three grandchildren, Julianna, Lacey and Stephanie Kessler. He was preceded in death by seven brothers and sisters. He graduated from St. Anthony Grade School and St. Thomas H.S. in Rockford. He received his Bachelor of Ed Degree from Northern Illinois State Teacher's College in DeKalb in 1939 and his Master's of Arts Degree at University of Illinois in 1941. He taught school in Rockford prior to WWII. He was an Army Vet. of WWII, where he attended Advanced Administration School at the Univ. of Mississippi. He served with the 3rd Army, 76th Infantry Division in Europe where he received the Bronze Star. He taught school in Rockford before entering the labor movement. He was founder and director of the Community Services Dept. for the IL State CIO and served on the staff of the United Auto Workers in the Education & Political Action Dept. He was active in Democratic politics in Winnebago, CO. He served as chairman of Winnebago CO Democratic Committee and on the City Council of Rockford, IL, as alderman. He moved to Macomb in 1959 and purchased the Macomb News Agency, now owned by his son, George. He returned to teaching in 1960 in Macomb. After his retirement he served as a lobbyist in Springfield, IL for the IL State CIO. He worked for the Superintendent of Public Instruction in charge of the Title I Program for Neglected & Delinquent Children. He was appointed to the position of Assistant Warden at the Illinois State Reformatory in Sheridan, IL by Gov. Adlai Stevenson. He was appointed a charter member of the IL State Board of Education by Gov. Dan Walker. At one time he was an agent for the IL State Liquor Commission. He had a long time interest in journalism. At Northern Illinois College he was a sports editor of the college paper and was appointed publicity director of athletics for the college. He was a reporter for the Daily DeKalb Chronicle. He was awarded 1st place by the IL Press Assn. in the sports story category. He was a contributor to several labor newspapers and for a short time, on the eve of the merger of the AFL & CIO, was editor of the IL State Labor CIO weekly publication. Funeral Mass is Friday at 11 a.m. at St. Paul Church, with Fr. Richard Pricco officiating, and burial with Military Rites by McDonough Post #6 American Legion and Macomb V.F.W. Post #1921 in St. Paul Cemetery, Macomb, IL. Visitation is Thursday from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at St. Paul Church, with a Wake Service at 8:30 p.m. Memorials to St. Paul School or McDonough District Hospital's Cardiac Care Unit. Arrangements are by Dods- worth-Piper-Wallen Funeral Home, 201 W. Carroll St., Macomb, IL 61455. 309-833-4119.