Bob Potenza was born in Buffalo, NY in 1950, oldest son of Lou and Kay Potenza, and older brother to Renee Arnold (nee Potenza). He grew up in the heart of a bustling Italian American family, surrounded by good food and good humor. He attended college at Fordham University, where he met his wife, Toni Potenza (nee DiMare), and received a law degree from SUNY Buffalo. Bob moved to Chicago in 1983 with his wife and children, Jim and Joanna Potenza, where he settled into an extended family of friends. If you’ve met him, chances are he welcomed you into his home, fed you, and made you laugh. His wit and wicked humor were undeniable, his intellectual curiosity was insatiable, and his generosity of spirit made him a natural teacher, whether it be of chess, science, or how to make the perfect calamari. He is survived by his wife, Toni, his son and his partner, Jim Potenza and Lola Oliver, his daughter and son-in-law, Joanna Potenza and Jonathan Kaufman, and his grandchildren, Oliver and Louisa Kaufman, upon whom he doted. His warmth, humor, and generosity will be forever remembered by his family and friends, Team Mangia, and everyone whose lives he touched.
In lieu of flower donations in Bob's memory to St. Jude's Children Hospital would be appreciated.
