Chris Ullo

Chris Ullo
Louisiana State Representative from Jefferson Parish
In office May 1972 – March 1988
Preceded by	Multi-member district: James E. Beeson George R. Blue Francis E. "Hank" Lauricella Leon E. Soniat, Jr. Thomas J. "Butch" Ward
Succeeded by	Steve Theriot
Louisiana State Senator from Jefferson Parish
In office March 1988 – January 2008
Preceded by	Elwyn Nicholson
Succeeded by	John Alario
Personal details
Born	John Chris Ullo (1928-03-16)March 16, 1928 Marrero, Jefferson Parish, Louisiana, USA
Died	January 16, 2014(2014-01-16) (aged 85) Metairie, Jefferson Parish, Louisiana, USA
Cause of death	Congestive heart disease
Resting place	Westlawn Memorial Park Cemetery in Gretna, Louisiana
Political party	Democratic
Spouse(s)	Joyce Ann Daigle Ullo (married 1959-2014, his death)
Children	One son: Chris John Ullo Three daughters: Bernie U. Blanchard Frankie U. Boudreaux Cynthia U. Robbins
Alma mater	Tulane University
Occupation	Businessman
Religion	Roman Catholic

John Chris Ullo (March 16, 1928 – January 16, 2014) was a businessman from suburban Jefferson Parish, Louisiana, who served in both houses of the Louisiana State Legislature from 1972, when he entered the House of Representatives^[1][2] until he was term-limited from the District 8 seat in the State Senate in 2008.^[3] He represented West Jefferson Parish from Terrytown to Grand Isle.

Biography

A native and lifelong resident of Marrero on the West Bank of the Mississippi River, Ullo was the son of Mike Ullo and the former Carolina Drago.^[4] He graduated from Marrero High School and procured a certificate in mechanical drawing from Tulane University in New Orleans. Ullo was considered a legislative champion of economic growth, education, and anti-crime legislation. He was instrumental in the passage of the law which designates revenues derived from gambling to underwrite a statewide computer fingerprint system to track criminals. He worked to expand programs of vocational education and to increase the pay of public school teachers.^[5]

Ullo also pushed for improved flood protection and for the establishment of the Jefferson West Higher Education Center, a consortium of the University of New Orleans, and the Jefferson Parish School Board, located on the campus of John Ehret High School in Marrero. In his later career, Ullo served on the Senate Education, Finance, and the Joint Budget committees. He received the "Award for Excellence in Youth Tobacco Prevention" for his work in the passage of legislation to stop minors from purchasing tobacco. The Louisiana Wildlife Federation named him "Conservationist of the Year."^[5]

Former state Representative Joseph F. Toomy, a Republican colleague of Ullo's, also from Jefferson Parish who was also term-limited in 2008, described Ullo as "a very conscientious legislator" who worked for the interests of Marrero in particular and the West Bank in general. Toomy cited Ullo's work for the completion of the elevated West Bank Expressway as perhaps his major accomplishments.^[5]

Electioneering was a family endeavor for the Ullos, his son, Chris John Ullo, told the New Orleans Times-Picayune. The family "knocked on doors, worked the phone banks, handed out fliers and asked constituents for their vote. Every election made our bond as a family even stronger," said Ullo's daughter, Bernie U. Blanchard. There are two other Ullo daughters, Frankie Boudreaux and Cynthia Robbins. Affectionately called " Pa' " by his grandchildren Shontell Larousse (Chad Prestenbach), Brittani Robbins (Nick St. Pierre),Brandi Ullo, Cristy Ullo Biri (Michael Biri), Laci Ullo, Caley Boudreaux, Hanna Blanchard, Jordan Boudreaux, Lance Blanchard, Emma Blanchard and great-grandchildren Zachary Larousse, Caleb Prestenbach, Rivers Prestenbach, Lyhla Prestenbach, Jude St. Pierre, and Rowen Sisung.^[5]

In retirement, Ullo worked on his farm in Franklinton in Washington Parish but according to his family was still "always helping people". The Ullo name is familiar in the West Bank for Ullo's Hardware, which has been in business since 1958 and is run by Ullo's son. The store also sells fabrics, an idea instituted by Ullo's wife, the former Joyce Ann Daigle (born 1929).^[5]

Ullo died early in 2014 at the age of 85 of congestive heart failure at East Jefferson General Hospital in Metairie.^[5] Services were held on January 22 at the Roman Catholic Immaculate Conception Church, 4401 Seventh Street in Marrero. Burial followed at Westlawn Memorial Park Cemetery in Gretna.^[4]

References