Leo High School Honors Jim Carollo

When Oak Lawn resident Jim Carollo makes one of his many visits to Leo High School’s storied building, it’s eventful.

For instance, last Veteran’s Day, the 1967 graduate arrived to engage with a US Medal of Honor, an encased family keepsake perfect for honoring the United States soldiers of war.

As students gathered around in curiosity and awe, Carollo articulated the significance of the United States of America’s highest and most prestigious personal military award given to a soldier the students would never meet.

This is but a lone example of why Carollo on Friday, April 26, 2019 will be inducted into the Hall of Fame at the Leo Alumni Association’s 64th annual Spring Banquet.

The affair will again be held at Chateau Del Mar, Hickory Hills Country Club, located at 8301 West 95th Street, Hickory Hills, IL.

Carollo cherishes Leo as his personal “medal of honor,” so, inclusion into this year’s Leo Hall of Fame puts an added giddy-up in his step as he walk the halls. Familiar to the faculty and students, some of his greatest joys are just being present with Leo men of any age and era.

Carollo golfed in 15 Leo outings – including 11 straight - with Carollo brother Tom, ’71, and cousins Jim, ’62, Tony, ’64, which harvested so many Leo hats he marketed the school by giving them away.

Carollo has been a very active supporter of the Leo Alumni Association. He was the committee chairperson for the Class of 1967, 50 Year Reunion and stays in close contact with his classmates informing them and promoting activities of both the Alumni and the High School. He is a Director of the Alumni Association and an active participant in the monthly meetings. He has played a crucial role in updating the Alumni Association email list. He volunteers for various functions, including the annual Alumni Golf Outing.

With great zeal Carollo strived in 2017 to bring every living graduate in the 1967 class to the 50th anniversary Alumni event. Retired as purchasing manager for Sears Tower, Carollo used his summer months to find, recruit, and cajole Leo men into coming to the annual event. “Facta non Verba” or “Deeds, Not Words” resulted in a grand turnout.

Carollo grew up in and attended St. Leo’s parish school, serving as an altar boy, often in Leo’s Chapel.

Carollo was manager for the football team under Bob Hanlon and the tennis team, while participating for four years in the Glee Club. He was elected president and nominated as “student of the year” by his peers.

Carollo was a long-time parishioner at St. Bernadette before he and his wife Tracy moved to St. Linus in Oak Lawn. He has one son, three grandchildren and one great granddaughter. Jim has served as a volunteer at the Oak Lawn Veterans clinic.

Just a few years removed from filling the banquet hall with 1967 graduates, Jim enters Leo Hall of Fame, so deserving, and so proud to have lived “Facta non Verba.”

The Leo Alumni Association’s 64th annual Spring Banquet is April 26, 2019. The banquet will again be held at Chateau Del Mar, Hickory Hills Country Club, located at 8301 95th Street, Hickory Hills, IL. Ticket prices are $70.00 in advance and $80.00 at the door. The cocktail hour will begin at 6:30 pm, and the dinner service is scheduled at 7:30 pm. The Leo Alumni Association was formed for charitable and educational purposes to promote the best interests of Leo High School.