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2009 SESSION
WHEREAS, Chester Louis Rodio, age 86, a respected citizen, community supporter, and influential Virginia Beach restaurateur for many years, died on May 16, 2008; and
WHEREAS, born on October 29, 1921, Chester Louis Rodio was one of seven children of Italian parents, and he graduated from Jessup High School in Jessup, Pennsylvania; and
WHEREAS, during World War II, Chester Louis Rodio was drafted into the United States Army; served his country in the Army Air Corps, which later became the United States Air Force; and earned numerous combat ribbons; and
WHEREAS, after the war, Chester Louis Rodio returned home with a dream of starting his own business, and he moved to Virginia Beach in 1949, when Atlantic Avenue had only a few hotels, restaurants, and boarding houses; and
WHEREAS, Chester Louis Rodio opened his first restaurant, the Doll House, on the corner of 14th Street and Atlantic Avenue, selling the best hot dogs and chili that could be found; and
WHEREAS, an energetic young man with a pioneer spirit and savvy aptitude for business, Chester Louis Rodio began several ventures over the years that helped transform the quiet Virginia Beach oceanfront into a bustling tourist destination; and
WHEREAS, Chester Louis Rodio’s many successful Virginia Beach businesses included The Golden Garter, The Moonraker, Laskin Road Seafood, and the Upper Deck Restaurant; and
WHEREAS, a favorite of visitors and local residents, especially young people, was the original Peppermint Beach Club, known as "The Home of Beach Music," that started the public dance hall craze at Virginia Beach during the 1960s; the club regularly billed popular regional rock-n-roll headliners like Bill Deal and the Rhondels, Sebastian and the House Rockers, and Little Willie and the Impressions; and
WHEREAS, Chester Louis Rodio and his beloved late wife Dottie have a daughter, Nancy Rodio, who as proprietor of her own restaurant, the Old Country Pancake House, could find her father every morning in a reserved booth at her establishment, reminiscing and playing gin rummy with old friends and fellow retirees; and
WHEREAS, an inspiration and mentor to all who knew him well, Chester Louis Rodio will be fondly remembered for his dedication to his community and his love of life and will be greatly missed by his devoted family; many friends and admirers; and his fellow citizens of Virginia Beach; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly mourn the passing of a fine businessman and outstanding Virginian, Chester Louis Rodio; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of Chester Louis Rodio as an expression of the General Assembly’s respect for his memory.