Former Rockdale mayor and village clerk die

ROCKDALE – Rockdale lost two prominent former village officials last week.

James Jimenez, mayor from 1993 to 1997 and a village trustee for 12 prior years, died Friday at the age of 81.

Thomas Fitzgerald, who was village clerk for 27 years before retiring two years ago, died Jan. 19 at the age of 75.

"It's been quite a shock," Mayor Sam Wyke said of losing both Fitzgerald and Jimenez in the same week.

He described them as "outstanding persons."

"We're going to miss both of them," Wyke said.

Wyke served with both men, having joined the Village Board in the last two years of Jimenez's term as mayor.

Jimenez also was a businessman, who owned Cardinal Electric and later the Mansard Room, a banquet facility in Rockdale, Wyke said.

According to his obituary, Jimenez also served on the Pace bus service Board of Directors. He was a staff sergeant with the Marines in the Korean War.

Visitation for Jimenez will be 2 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the Fred C. Dames Funeral Home, 3200 Black Road, Joliet. Funeral services will begin 9 a.m. Wednesday at the funeral home with a mass at 10 a.m. at St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church, 18 Woodlawn Ave., Joliet.

A private service was held for Fitzgerald.