Lawrence Pucci Obituary

To the Lawrence Pucci family:

Today's annual Memorial Day celebration of the General John A. Logan Monument Re-Dedication ceremony may have been washed out by the torrential rain, but the memory of Mr. Pucci was just as strong as if he were there.

If you closed your eyes, you could easily see him sitting on his red scooter, mike in hand...giving directions.

I miss his presence. I miss our conversations about my cousin, Milton Lee Olive III, and I miss listening to his dreams and goals of maintaining, restoring, and beautifying Olive Park which included planting flowers at that site. He also wanted Olive Park to enjoy greater recognition by the city since Olive Park is the only park in America named after a black war hero.

I do miss you and your quiet but determined fighting spirit.

I have many wonderful memories of Lorenzo. I told him I would always love him even though our lives would take different paths. He is an inspiration to me still. His vast knowledge of the arts was so amazing to me when we met when I was only 23 years old. Even though we communicated only sporadically over the years, he was in my thoughts. I am saddened at his passing and send my condolences and love to his family.

Dear Caryl,

Our thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief.

Upon hearing of the loss of your husband and brother my mother Mary Nugara shared her many fond memories of you and Lawrence with our family.

God bless you and your family.

Joseph Nugara
Villageprofile.com Inc.

Caryl,
My father Elliott always thought of Lawrence as the best of fraternity brothers from Northwestern. He would speak most highly of going home with Lawrence during their days at Northwestern. I will always remember his generosity toward me, my sister Lisa, our mother Lolly, and my wife Patricia. When I needed guidance in career choices, he was there to listen and then guide me in the right way. All of us enjoyed visiting the showrooms during the holidays and the Tavern Club when the Wedgewood Society met. When I think of the contributions he made to Chicago, to London's Globe Theater, to Michigan Avenue, to Haitian art, to the culture of Chicago, I am truly in awe of what he accomplished. Please accept our condolences and prayers.
George Ebright

Dear Caryl,

My sincere condolences on the passing of Lorenzo.

I have had the privilege to meet, dine and discuss personally with Lorenzo Pucci. In so many times, I would visit him in his office as I used to work next door at the Swissotel. So easily he would ask me to sit down and Lorenzo would explain and talk of his love of Chicago and the various charities and business he entertained.

In all my discussions with Lorenzo, he made me feel that I was the most important person in the world to him. He would ask about all and everything, give me advice and escort me out with a fantastic handshake. He was a friend indeed and always.

He lived with good in his heart and gave freely to everyone around him.

My "Heavenly Tailor" Lorenzo, I will always cherish our time.

Until we meet again. Yoland

Caryl,

Our thoughts and prayers have always been with you, but especially now in your time of deepest sorrow. Please accept our heartfelt sympathy. You will always remain in our hearts.


The Children of Dorothy Wisser

Dear Caryl,

My father, Joseph Riccio, use to work for your father, Lawrence Sr., many years ago. I was so sorry to hear of your brother's passing. Please accept my condolences and heartfelt sympathy. I hope you will remember me because I was a little girl when I first met you.

Yolanda Ceriale ( nee Riccio )

I am so sorry for your loss. Lorenzo Pucci, as he introduced himself to me, was always wearing a smile. My little dog, Zoe, and I were his park buddies. Zoe always knew where to find him enjoying the sunshine and would run to greet him. He was always so happy to see us. We will miss his smiling face on our walks to the park. My prayers are with you and your family.

Chicago has lost another legend. Lawrence was a wonderful gentleman and Chicagoan, always giving back to the community. It was a pleasure serving on the Central Michigan Avenue Association with him and seeing him hold court at The Tavern Club or lunching at Chez Paul. Caryl we keep you in our thoughts and prayers and offer our heartfelt sympathy.

Dear Caryl,

It was so sad to hear of Mr. Pucci's passing.

I never had the pleasure of meeting him; but we talked on many occasions as we tried to schedule lunch meetings with President Middleton of Roosevelt University.

May the wonderful memories you have of your brother comfort you in the days ahead.

Cheryl Gouldsby
Assistant to the President
Roosevelt University

Dear Caryl, I just received the news today. Lawrence will be greatly missed. You and he are two of my favorite people of my past Chicago life. I think of you and he frequently. I am so pleased that I have many wonderful pictures of the various activities that I have been associated with you and Lawrence. Wonderful fond memories. My best to you. Judy Walton, PO Box 1995, Largo, Florida 33771

Dear Caryl,
I am very sadden by the news of your brother Mr.Lawrence Pucci.
I had the honor of meeting you both at my Mother and John Shelton's wedding in their home.
Mr. Pucci talked with me for a great while, he was a true gentlemen.
Chicago has lost one of the greats.
Kimberly Bingen
Scottsdale, Arizona



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Dear Caryl:

I was so sorry to hear that Mr. Pucci passed away. He was such a wonderful man. Kevin, Mike and I used to work down the hall from you at 333 N. Michigan and he was always such a joy to talk to. I always think of him in his scooter going everywhere.

Please accept my heartfelt condolences.

Rose Barber
Zoeller Media Sales

Dear Caryl,

We will all miss Lawrence so very much. Ever since we started working together on the Navy vs. Northwestern football game, scheduled to be played just days after 9/11, our U.S. Naval Academy Alumni Association in Chicago knew what a special man he was. Since those years he was an honorary member of our Chapter and periodically game to our annual Army - Navy gathering. I am sorry to say that we were not able to bring that game back to Chicago, which I knew was one of his dreams.

From all of us Chicago alumni of the Naval Academy, please accept our condolences. We will miss Lawrence.

Fred Weber
Chicago Chapter President

When Kenda told me Friday that Caryl Rettaliata had called and informed us that Lawrence had passed, I was stunned. I felt as one of my favorite uncles had died.

In the spring of 2001 when I returned to Chicago from twenty-two years in Philadelphia, Lawrence Pucci befriended me in casual conversation while we waited for our respective buses on Michigan Avenue. My wife, Kenda, and I soon learned how kind, open, generous and welcoming Lawrence was to us and to all his friends. Through his Wedgewood Society, Lawrence brought together artists and lovers of the arts from across the globe, always eager he was to ensure newcomers were introduced to his long-time friends. His leadership in the Central Michigan Avenue Association also was emblematic of Lawrence's love for Chicago and his striving to improve the business, as well as the cultural, climate for all. His organization of the cruises for veterans and the Memorial Day observances at the statue of General Logan on Michigan Avenue were testimonials to his love of country.

Lawrence Pucci was the embodiment of all that is good about Chicago and mankind. He embraced his aquaintences and brought them together in friendship, which was Lawrence Pucci's way. We miss him and we extend our sympaties to Caryl and all his family and friends.

With deepest sympathies,

Dear Caryl:

Please accept our sincerest condolences. Lorenzo was special to us from the day we met many years ago. He was the pillar of the Magnificient Mile! I never tired at looking at the stacks of photo albums. He loved my carrot cake and I'll miss him calling Mom and me and saying, "Hi pretty ladies!" We'll miss him at the Wedgwood Society meetings, but his vibrant spirit will live on!

Helen and Meg

"We met Lorenzo through my aunt five years ago. He was a man of prestige but also very down to earth. We will miss our occassional visits with Aunt Carmella at the Pucci studio, listening to Lorenzo's stories. His photo albums were incredible. He will not be forgotten. " Bernardo Grisolia and Lora Grisolia (Whiting, IN)

Mr. Pucci was an incredible man. How fortunate our family has been to know him. He always spoke so highly of both my parents. I will always be appreciative of that. What a pillar of Chicago!
Lisa Howe-Ebright

Dear Caryl:

I came to know Lorenzo because we collected some of the same artists; we parlayed that interest into a friendship which found many outlets: Michigan Avenue, patriotic monuments, and just plain chats. He exemplified a profound spirituality, and mixed that with imagintion and faithfulness; oh, yes, he was also an exemplary citizen--we have too few of them. I was always impressed at how concerned both of you were about each other. We thank you, and miss him

I met Lawrence in the late 1980s while I worked as a sales representative for the Wm Frazin Tie Company, which was then owned by Bill Frazin's son Jim. I was treated to Lawrence's friendly, kind and gentlemanly treatment. I remember our exchanging anecdotes about our mutual friend Bill Frazin.
Alfred "Fritz" Becker Glenview, Ill.

"Lorenzo" and I became acquainted in 1996 shortly after my return to Chicago, when I volunteered to help with one of His many "civic" projects. I presented Him with a photo I had taken on VJ day during a parade on Michigan Ave, with Pucci's window prominent in the corner shot.
I attended many of the meetings His organization held at the Tavern Club and of course the Memorial Day Logan Monument Ceremony.
I was fortunate to be present at His 85th Birthday Party where took some photos which I later presented to Him in an album.
May He rest in peace and be remembered for all His Civic and Social goodness.
Ed Kramer

lawrence was my friend for over 30 years-he stood up for me at my wedding ceremony and we shared memorable times together from golf to special lunches and dinners i loved him--jerry leslie and alexandra blair----

Mr. Pucci, (as my family fondly referred to him) was always a kind, considerate, and endearing man; a staunch gentleman in the true sense of his graciousness . Over the last ten years, as residents at 860 LSD, we came to know him and considered him to be a friend. He will be sorely missed; a true end-of-an-era.
With sympathy, Katy, Eleanor, and Tom Ruscitti

Dear Caryl,

Please accept our heartfelt condolence on the passing of your brother. While we have not personally met you, Lawrence spoke extensively about you and your importance in his life.

We had the opportunity to visit socially with Lawrence on two separate occasions. He was indeed a gentleman and caring person. His civic contributions and love of Chicago and his country were deeply-rooted.

Lawrence and you are in our prayers, and we were indeed fortunate to have met him and shared some wonderful memories with him and his close friends Philip and Carol Mango.

With sincere feelings,

Lonny and Becky Jay
St. Louis, Missouri

May God Bless you all and comfort you with beautiful memories of your dear brother Lawrence. Sincere Condolences from all the Bittner family. Grazia Francioli Bittner

Dear Caryl,

I was so sad to hear of the passing of Lawrence. He was such a nice man and always treated me with the highest respect.

I enjoyed working with him at Pucci's and will miss seeing him there.

My deepest sympathy to you and your family.

Prayers and thoughts are with the Pucci family and friends...I did not know Mr. Pucci but after reading about his wonderful life in the paper he seemed to be a great man who did wonderful things.

Dear Carol, I was heartbroken to hear of dear Lawrences passing God has surely welcomed such a wonderful man. He was always so kind to me and just recently helped me get into the Arts Club of Chicago.He will be missed and his contributions to Chicago cannot be replaced. I am sorry you lost your brloved husband and brother so close together. I will keep you in my prayers. I have included Lawrence in my prayers already and I hope his spirit will look kindly on all of us that are left to walk this earth. God bless you and your family.