Louis John Cafferata

Louis was born on September 3, 1939 to Vivian Ostberg and Louis Lawrence Cafferata in Chicago, Illinois, and lived on Osceola Avenue in the Grennan Heights neighborhood of Niles, Illinois until the age of seven. After the passing of his father when Louis was seven, his family temporarily moved to an apartment that was kitty-corner to the score board of Wrigley Field in Chicago to live with his aunt, Marie Cafferata. His mother was blessed to find love again, and they welcomed Tom Bilotti into their family; so Louis and his family moved to Skokie, Illinois where Louis lived until he married.

Louis and his wife, Sylvia, made homes in Harwood Heights and Addison, Illinois, and later in the tree streets of Corinth, Mississippi before settling in Clearwater, Florida for their final chapter together.

Louis began working at a young age. At 9 years old, he delivered newspapers. Later, he worked to pay for tuition to be able to attend DePaul Catholic High School in Chicago where he graduated in 1957. A very fond working memory during his high school years involved making pizzas at Nardo’s on Pulaski near Milwaukee Avenue where he considered the others there as family rather than coworkers. After his high school graduation, Louis followed in his father’s footsteps and started working at W. F. Hall Printing Company on Diversey Avenue in Chicago, Illinois, a company which he devotedly worked at through buyouts and relocations until he retired at the age of 59.

‍Louis welcomed his first two children, Mary and Joseph, into the world in Arlington Heights, Illinois and continued to expand his family with a third child, Jean, and a fourth child, Thomas, when living in Addison, Illinois.

Louis was first and foremost a God-loving and devoted family man. He went to mass every Sunday, and enjoyed spending time with his wife and kids. Louis lived an active life. He had many hobbies that kept him busy. Louis was a big bike rider and would often ride from town to town to visit with family and friends. Early in his married years, Louis spent hours on Thunder Lake in Crivitz, Wisconsin skiing. Family videos show his love of the water and especially slalom skiing. After moving to Mississippi, Louis often went to Pickwick Lake where he practiced his love of fishing with his homemade fishing lures. Louis also loved woodworking and tinkering in the garage. He worked on the cars and spent time building things too. Louis made a wall clock, a beautiful music box, and ravioli presses. He installed a bathroom in the basement of the Addison house, and built a huge playhouse in the backyard for his kids which was later moved to Mississippi in 1976 for his kids to continue enjoying after he was transferred there. When in Mississippi, Louis hung wallpaper, built cabinetry complete with customized drawers, and stained all the doors and molding throughout the Corinth house. He, along with his wife, Sylvia, created a masterpiece of a home.

Many enjoyed Louis’ love of cooking. He continued to make pizzas and had contests with neighbors to see who made the best pizza, but his culinary talents didn’t stop there. Dill bread was a specialty of his. His dill bread was in high demand at church and he was sure to make it each time there was a Soup Supper. Louis made a mean cheesecake. His turtle cheesecake was a favorite and often requested. He also made homemade ravioli with a spinach and cheese ‘ping’ filling, a Cafferata family recipe. Cooking outdoors was also an interest where he often cooked on the Green Egg. His pulled pork and smoked turkeys were unmatched.

Louis was a lifelong Chicago Cubs fan and always enjoyed watching the games. When he was a young child, he watched them from his Aunt Marie’s living room window which overlooked Wrigley Field. After that, he watched most games on the television. He also enjoyed watching the Chicago Bears play football, and once in Florida, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. And it goes without saying that each football game was accompanied by a homemade pizza. Anchovy pizza, of course.

Of all his hobbies, walking was the most inspirational. Doctors told him he had to walk every day… and he did. He was always a pillar of good examples, but seeing him walk in summer heat and winter snow without fail the last 45 years spoke volumes. If it rained, he walked on the treadmill at home. He never missed. He always walked. Early on, he recorded his time, always trying to beat his own record. In the later years, he recorded his daily steps. He always walked.

Louis inspired us in countless ways that we will forever remember & always cherish.

Louis is preceded in death by his parents Louis Lawrence Cafferata, and Vivian Ostberg Cafferata; Vivian’s second husband Tom Bilotti, his sister Marilyn Cafferata, and brother Lawrence Cafferata.

Louis is survived by his wife of 60 years, Sylvia Mroz Cafferata; his four children, Mary Anderson (Brad), Joseph Cafferata (Darlene), Jean Sauls (Johnny), and Thomas Cafferata (Nicole); and by his cherished grandchildren Patrick Sauls, Nicholas Cafferata, Caleb Sauls, Lily Cafferata, Louis Anderson, Camryn Heidenreich, and Emily Cafferata. ‍

A mass will be held for Louis Cafferata from 11:30 to 12:30 at Espiritu Santo Catholic Church on Saturday, September 20, 2025, and the church will remain open until 2:00 for those who would like to stay longer or stop by to pay their respects.

Louis’ cremains will remain with Sylvia Cafferata until a service is held at Calvary Catholic Cemetery in Evanston, Illinois.

Flowers can be sent to Sylvan Abbey Funeral Home; or in lieu of flowers, the family invites you to consider making a donation in Louis Cafferata’s name to St. Jude, the Heart Association, or St. Joseph’s Indian School in Chamberlain, South Dakota, three of the many causes that Louis supported.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Sylvan Abbey Funeral Home, and condolences may be offered in the "Add a Memory" section below.

Thank you to everyone for your thoughts and prayers for Louis and the Cafferata Family, and a special thanks to Dr. John Prather, Dr. Douglas Spriggs, Drs. Osvaldo and Marta Hans, Dr. James Gilmore, Dr. Ed Garrett, Dr. Barry Bertolet, Dr. Al Pacifico, nurse Kim Marlar, and nurse Jessie.