The personal papers of Jerry O. Covelli, donated after his death to University of
Wisconsin-Parkside, show Covelli playing an important role in persuading legislators
in 1965 to establish a four-year university in Southeastern Wisconsin and to place
at its current location. He was an active member of Kenosha county government,
serving on the Kenosha City Council as Alderman and the Kenosha County Board as
County Supervisor in the 1970s and 1980s. In addition, his wife, Elinore Covelli,
also played a key role in the local government of the city of Kenosha. Covelli
remained a United Auto Workers labor union leader and advocate during his employment
with the American Motors Company and after retirement. He worked as an active
benefactor of the Easter Seals program, especially of its accessible camping
efforts. In 1999, he was inducted into the the Southeastern Wisconsin Educators Hall
of Fame. Covelli’s dedication to the Democratic Party and his work in the
Johnson/Humphrey presidential campaign in 1964 earned him an invitation to the 1965
inauguration and inaugural ball. A proud veteran, Covelli served in the army during
the Second World War, while Elinore contributed to the war effort by working for the
American Aircraft Institute. He maintained membership in the Veterans of Foreign
Wars (VFW) organization and various military groups for life. Geri C. Sorensen, the
collection donor and Covelli’s daughter, is a 1976 graduate of UW-Parkside.
