[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 135 (Friday, September 19, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1477]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    HONORING THE LIFE OF ED RONTELL

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. JIM COSTA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 18, 2014

  Mr. COSTA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Eddie 
Rontell, who passed away on August 20, 2014, at the age of 88. Ed's 
family and friends as well as community members throughout Fresno will 
miss him dearly as he dedicated much of his life to the revitalization 
and wellbeing of the city.
  Born in Fresno, California, Ed was the son of Italian immigrants and 
grew up during the Great Depression. Forced to drop out of Washington 
Union High School upon his father's death, Ed worked a number of jobs 
including time spent as a farm laborer and a fireman. Eventually, Ed 
founded an Auto Shop which he used to launch his lifelong career as a 
car dealer.
  Ed was an honest businessman who often earned the loyalty of his 
customers for generations. Ed used the money he earned to help those in 
need. He was an anonymous donor to hundreds of charities throughout the 
state. Additionally, Ed spent much of his own free time volunteering 
with local non-profits including the Northern California Cancer 
Program, the Fresno Metropolitan Museum development board, the Fresno 
Community Hospital board, the Fresno Chamber of Commerce, the San 
Joaquin College of Law board, the Fresno Downtown Club, the UC Valley 
Medical Education Foundation, CaP CURE Prostate Cancer Foundation, and 
the Rotary Club of Fresno.
  Ed was a friend of the late Bishop Steinbock and played a major role 
in the renovation of St. John's Cathedral. It was a project that Ed, a 
faithful Catholic who attended mass every morning, was very proud of.
  Ed was also a devoted family man. He was a devoted husband to his 
wife, Margie; a proud father to his five children, Cathie, Eddie, 
Steve, Marilyn, and Carol; and a loving grandfather to his 
grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
  Mr. Speaker, it is with great respect that I ask my colleagues in the 
U.S. House of Representatives to honor the life of Ed Rontell. He will 
be greatly missed, but his dedication to those around him will never be 
forgotten.

                          ____________________