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Los Angeles’s political elite mourn influential consultant Cerrell
File photo: US President Bill Clinton (C), First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton (L) and National Italian American Foundation President Joseph Cerrell (R) are pictured at the NAIF Gala Dinner 16 October 1999 in Washington, DC.
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Los Angeles’s political elite mourn influential consultant Cerrell
Southland political leaders are remembering influential consultant Joe Cerrell. His memorial service was Monday at Hancock Park’s Christ the King Roman Catholic Church.
Joe Cerrell was the type of old-school Democratic lobbyist who could stay true to his roots and steer clear political gridlock.
His colleague Matt Klink says he knew how to get things done. “He always believed in reaching across party lines.”
About 800 people from Cerrell’s professional and personal life attended his memorial service.
Monsignor Antonio Cacciapuoti recalled visiting Cerrell to administer the last rites last week. “We were able to talk and pray together to our Father and share some words with one another, and the last words I said to Joseph were 'arrivederci.'"
Cerrell died from complications of pneumonia onThursday. He was 75 years old.
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