Neil Pellicci, who spent 28 years as a top administrator at Komarek School in North Riverside until retiring four years ago, died unexpectedly but peacefully on June 5, 2019. He was 64 years old.

In all, Pellicci's career in education spanned 38 years after graduating with a degree in elementary education from Illinois State University. He briefly taught third grade in Arlington Heights before moving to Lace School in Downers Grove, where he taught fourth grade and met his future wife, Debra Kot.