from the USTA Communications Department

Columbus, OH — Emanuel “Tony” Maurello, 93, known as “Mr. Super Night” in the state of Illinois, died Jan. 25, 2014.

Mr. Maurello was a board member of Animal Welfare League and Valentine Boys and Girls Club. He was a member of the Illinois Harness Horsemen’s Association. He was a former board member of Chicago Community Bank.

He is survived by his daughter, Susan (late Edward) Chillmon; grandchildren, Brian Chillmon, Adam Chillmon and Carly (Michael Brophy) Chillmon; great grandchildren, Dominic and Paul; and brother, Raymond (Agnes); He was preceded in death by his wife, Eleanor; and brothers and sisters, Carl, Victor, William, Christine, Dolly, Ida, Pauline, Alvina, Daniel and Richard.

Memorial contributions may be made to Animal Welfare League, 10305 Southwest Highway, Chicago Ridge, IL 60415 or Valentine Boys and Girls Club, 3400 S. Emerald, Chicago, IL 60616.

Visitation will be on Friday (Jan. 31) from 3-9 p.m. at Kosary Funeral Home, 9837 S. Kedzie, Evergreen Park, IL 60805. The funeral will be on Saturday (Feb. 1) at 9 a.m. from chapel to St. John Fisher Church for mass at 10 a.m. Entombment at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery.

“I can’t recall when Tony wasn’t around praising and encouraging harness racing,” said USTA President Phil Langley. “In the early days of Super Night he singlehandedly recruited a thousand or so people from his trucking business contacts by throwing a huge party at Sportsman’s Park. You could always recognize Tony because he was the only one wearing a tuxedo — except for a couple of years when he talked me into doing so. Every year he did whatever he could to make Super Night a success.

“In the 1970s Sportsman’s Park had very successful entertainment promotions with such stars as Chuck Berry, Ike and Tina Turner, and Blood, Sweat and Tears. This was all made possible because Tony was in the trucking business and combined two big flatbed trucks into a moveable stage with all sound equipment and other necessary items. The stage would go in front of the grandstand on the track and when the concert was over at 15 minutes to post time be wheeled off. Those concerts attracted up to 20,000 people.

“Tony’s signature calling card was the $2 bill. He must have cornered the entire supply because he never stopped giving them to anyone he met for the first time. I looked this morning and I still have one in my wallet he gave me many years ago.

“A true character that I last saw at Balmoral Park not long ago. God bless you my friend.”