ROCKFORD, Ill. — Frank Manzullo, the former owner of Manzullo’s Famous Italian Restaurant in New Milford for more than four decades, died Feb. 28 while on vacation at the age of 83.
Manzullo is the older brother of former Republican U.S. Congressman Don Manzullo, known as a restaurateur and his tireless work discouraging people from littering. Manzullo, a longtime Rockford Township trustee, has worked with Keep Northern Illinois Beautiful for years to coordinate the Great American Cleanup event.
Manzullo, a U.S. Army veteran, wrote in a 2014 guest column in the Rockford Register Star that he learned to hate litter and the impact it had on the property in his parents’ eyes. He works at the Shady Mill Drive-In in New Milford, clearing away accumulated trash. He credits the experience with developing his anti-littering stance.
“When they started the drive-in, they made a promise to their neighbors that they would not litter, and it’s my job to make sure that promise is kept,” Manzullo wrote. “It’s also the responsibility of all riders — zero waste!”
The late Frank Manzullo, owner of Manzullo’s Restaurant in New Milford, as shown in this file photo, decided to close his famous locally owned family restaurant on New Year’s Eve 2005.
More: Rockford developer and philanthropist Sunil Puri dies at 65
Nothing gets Manzullo’s blood boiling more than seeing trash blowing in the wind around Rockford or Winnebago County.
“Normally I’m a very calm person,” he wrote in a 2015 guest column. “But this spring I’m angry! I’m frustrated because even though so many people are trying to give the city a shot in the arm and improve our ratings, we’re met with people who treat the streets like garbage dumps. I call those who litter, lazy!”
In 1964, after Manzullo returned from the Army, and at his suggestion, the Manzullos transformed their home into a comfortable, 14-table Manzullo’s Famous Italian Restaurant. The company operated there for 41 years until Manzullo and his wife, Mary Ann, decided to retire on New Year’s Eve, December 31, 2004.
According to Manzullo’s obituary, he was an inventor and the holder of a patent for the “Extending Mail Box Stand.” His obituary said he ran an online antiques business, collected model cars and enjoyed conducting yard sales looking for items that could be restored.
Manzullo was a member of the Good ‘Ole Boys Car Club and the Gentlemen’s Car Club. He loved cruising around in his 1932 Ford Roadster.
Manzullo was preceded in death by his wife. He is survived by his long-time partner Judy Bufalo, his children Mary Catherine Flynn and Frank A. Manzullo, III, grandchildren and his brother Don Manzullo.
Funeral Mass is scheduled for 11 a.m. March 16 at St. Rita Catholic Church, 6254 Valley Knoll, with visitation to follow at 10 a.m. Burial will be in New Milford Cemetery. Another visitation is planned for March 15 from 2 to 5 p.m. at Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory, Mulford Chapel, 1860 S. Mulford Road.
Frank Manzullo stands next to a root beer vending machine from his father’s business that is up for auction in 2008.
Jeff Kolkey writes about government, economic development and other issues for the Rockford Chronicle-Star. You can contact him via email at jkolkey@rrstar.com and @JeffCorky.
This article originally appeared in The Rockford Chronicle Star: Rockford restaurateur Frank Manzullo dies