By:  Luna                                             S.R. No. 1117
    1-1                           SENATE RESOLUTION
    1-2                               In Memory
    1-3                                  of
    1-4                        Vincent Mortellra, Sr.
    1-5        WHEREAS, It is with great sorrow that the Texas Senate noted
    1-6  the passing of a native son of San Antonio, Vincent Mortellra, Sr.,
    1-7  who died May 12, 1995, at the age of 88; and
    1-8        WHEREAS, Mr. Mortellra's grocery business became a city
    1-9  landmark; his hard work, honesty, and unquestioned integrity drew
   1-10  his customers, who became friends, to the highly personal and
   1-11  well-loved grocery stores he built over the years; as a youth he
   1-12  embarked on his apprenticeship at the age of 18 when he began as
   1-13  manager of a small grocery store on Prospect Hill; his success at
   1-14  the business which would occupy his interest for a lifetime enabled
   1-15  him to court and marry his young sweetheart, Irene A. Mortellra; and
   1-16        WHEREAS, During the tough years of the depression of the
   1-17  1930s, he nevertheless opened and continued to operate his own
   1-18  butcher shop and a few years later, in partnership with a relative,
   1-19  the Sanitary Grocery and Market opened its doors; and
   1-20        WHEREAS, His nephew, Mike DeMarco, returned from World War II
   1-21  to take over his father's place as partner in the grocery business,
   1-22  and nephew and uncle continued to provide the sound and solid service
   1-23  which was the major part of their admirable reputation and which won
    2-1  them a large group of devoted customers; the other notable ingredient
    2-2  in Mr. Mortellra's distinguished success was his trustworthiness and
    2-3  friendliness; he saw the good side of everyone, and for him, the cup
    2-4  of life was always full; and
    2-5        WHEREAS, Despite working six days a week, the avid fisherman
    2-6  found time to take his sons fishing on the weekends and spend quality
    2-7  time with them; a devoted husband and father, Vincent Mortellra
    2-8  provided a rock-like stability from which his family drew strength,
    2-9  pride, and sensitivity; and
   2-10        WHEREAS, Strong in his faith, Mr. Mortellra supported his
   2-11  local parish and was an inspiration to countless individuals; he
   2-12  will be sorely missed; now, therefore, be it
   2-13        RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas,
   2-14  74th Legislature, hereby extend sincere condolences to his family:
   2-15  his wife, Irene A. Mortellra; his sons, Vincent J. Mortellra, Jr.,
   2-16  and his wife, Sandi, and Robert P. Mortellra, and his wife,
   2-17  Sharon Ann; and his grandchildren, Rick, Tammie, Tina, Lisa,
   2-18  Matthew, and Stephanie; and, be it further
   2-19        RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for his
   2-20  family as an expression of deepest sympathy from the Texas Senate,
   2-21  and that when the Senate adjourns this day, it do so in memory of
   2-22  Vincent J. Mortellra, Sr.
   2-23                               ______________________________________
   2-24                                      President of the Senate
   2-25                                    I hereby certify that the above
    3-1                               Resolution was adopted by the Senate
    3-2                               on May 19, 1995, by a rising vote.
    3-3                               ______________________________________
    3-4                                      Secretary of the Senate
    3-5                               ______________________________________
    3-6                                        Member, Texas Senate