SOUTH HOLLAND, Ill. (June 22, 2023) – Former South Suburban College Board Chairman Frank M. Zuccarelli will be honored with a new park in his name. The park dedication event will be held on Wednesday, June 28, 2023, at 11 a.m. on the north end of SSC’s main campus. The public is invited to attend this free event.
The SSC community was profoundly saddened by the news of the passing of longtime Board Chairman Zuccarelli on January 3, 2022, at 70. Zuccarelli, a South Holland resident, served as a member of the SSC Board of Trustees since 1978. In 2014, he received a service award from the Illinois Community College Trustees Association, recognizing his 35 years of service as a community college trustee. During his tenure, Zuccarelli witnessed SSC and the Illinois community college system grow from temporary buildings into the third largest community college system in the United States (US). He is only the fifth person out of more than 2,200 current and former trustees to reach this level of success in Illinois.
Zuccarelli previously enrolled at SSC, then Thornton Community College, in 1974 after he completed his enlistment in the US Air Force, where he served as a medic. He earned an Associate of Science degree in 1976 and an Associate of Arts degree in 1978 from SSC. Zuccarelli was elected to the unpaid post on the Board of Trustees in 1978 and was chosen by his peers to be the Chairman of the Board in 1987, a position he maintained until his passing. Zuccarelli also served as Thornton Township Supervisor since 1993, among other public service roles.
In life, Zuccarelli established one of the SSC Foundation’s most significant annual scholarships to assist students passionate about public or community service. Upon his passing, he and his partner, Carmen Canales, earmarked an additional $20,000 for the Frank M. Zuccarelli memorial fund, which was utilized to revitalize the gazebo park area, where many classes and events were held during his early years at SSC. Preparations for Zuccarelli Park were partly funded by Friends of Frank and the SSC Foundation.
Revitalizations include 22 new trees, flowers, and bushes, an LED walkway, gazebo lights, a fountain, new benches, signage, and a plaque. The Village of South Holland also donated 12 picnic tables for use.
Charitable gifts to support Zuccarelli’s legacy in perpetuity can be made online at https://www.ssc.edu/foundation
The South Suburban College main campus is located at 15800 South State Street in South Holland.
