Robert Charles Bracco

A gentle giant with a tender heart, for 21 years he was devoted to his wife Diane, nee Tunney. His happiest and proudest moment was the day Diane gave birth to their beautiful daughter Anna Marie. Bob was born in Sioux City, Iowa and raised in Oak Park, Illinois, the son of Mike and Kay (nee Coughlin) Bracco who have preceded him in death.

He shared a close bond with his many siblings: Beth (John) Bonanno, Dennis (Colleen), Michael (Karen), Larry (Jennifer), Marty (Beth), Steven (Susan), Meg (Greg) Liebreich, Peter (Melissa) and Barbara Sipes, his dear mother in law Joan (the late Thomas) Tunney and his extended Tunney family: Sue and Dave, TJ and Debba, Robbie and Shelby, and Janie and Ron. Bob leaves his loving presence in the hearts of his 30 nieces and nephews. His faithful companion was his dog, Sara.

Bob was a construction superintendent with Forever Homes. In addition to building homes for many North Carolinians, Bob literally built his family’s dream home on a foundation of love and hard work. A fan of all Chicago sports, with the exception of The Cubs, Bob’s favorite athlete was his talented daughter Anna, whom he coached for years and instilled in her the values of team work, sportsmanship and perseverance. He attended St. Edmund in Oak Park where he shared many joyful days with the “Super Seven, Friends for Life”. A 1979 graduate of Fenwick High School and a 1983 graduate of Loras College, Bob played football with great strength and passion. He was guided by Dominican Catholic Tradition of faith, truth, community, justice and prayer. Bob was a member of St. Mary Magdalene Parish in Apex, NC. Bob was very grateful for the love and excellent care provided by Jeff Crane, MD and Denise Pescaro, NP and all the staff at Rex Cancer Center and Transitions Hospice of Raleigh. “There was not enough time.”

Visitation will be held from 5 to 9 p.m. on Tuesday, July 29 at Drechsler, Brown & Williams Funeral Home, 203 S. Marion St., Oak Park, IL. Friends will meet at St. Edmund Church 188 S. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park, IL on Wednesday, July 30 for Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. Interment will follow at Queen of Heaven Cemetery in Hillside, IL. Funeral information: 708-383-3191 or drechslerbrownwilliams.com.

In Raleigh, NC, a memorial service and reception will be held on Saturday, August 2 at 3:00 pm at Apex Funeral Home, 550 W Williams Street, Apex, NC 27502.

Online Memorials: www.ApexFuneral.com