Robert Edward Chalifoux

Robert Edward Chalifoux, 83, passed away on September 27, 2026. Born March 26, 1943, in Cincinnati, Ohio, Bob was the eldest son of Robert S. and Margaret M. (Winters) Chalifoux. Bob’s family moved to Marionette Park, Illinois, upon his father’s return from WWII, and eventually settled in Westchester, Illinois. The Westchester home was across the street from Divine Infant Jesus Parish and School, where his family were founding members and all of seven of the Chalifoux children attended school. Bob made life-long friends in that community and formed strong Chicago roots, living in the Chicagoland area the vast majority of his life.

Bob graduated from Fenwick High School in 1961 and followed in his father’s footsteps to Xavier University in Cincinnati, Ohio. While in Cincinnati, he met his future wife. Upon graduating from Xavier with an Accounting degree in 1965, he married, returned to Chicago and had a daughter, Michelle. While he was divorced a few years later, he remained a loving father to Michelle across the years and miles.

After a short accounting stint at General Motors, Bob joined Photopress, Inc., the printing company founded by his grandfather and great-grandfather. There he built his career, surrounded by extended family and colleagues that were close friends, becoming the company’s Financial Controller. After Photopress was sold in 1984, Bob found additional vocations as a residential mortgage broker and a seasonal tax preparer, both of which allowed him plenty of time on the golf course.

In 1981, Bob courageously acknowledged and overcame an alcohol addiction and became an active member of Alcoholics Anonymous. Over the next four decades, he served as chapter treasurer, organized annual golf retreats, and shared his story at countless meetings. In AA, he expanded upon the spiritual upbringing of his Catholic faith and found tremendous fulfillment in the lives he was able to touch along his sobriety journey.

In 2009, Bob retired to Hollywood, Florida, a favorite location dating back to childhood visits to his grandparents’ home in the area. There he relished escaping the Chicago winters, playing countless rounds of golf and walking many miles along the Hollywood Broadwalk (often treating himself to a pistachio soft serve ice cream cone). But his favorite Florida activity was entertaining visiting family and friends, especially his three granddaughters. He would frequently return to Chicago in the summers, thanks to the hospitality of his close friend, Sherry Lynch, enjoying her companionship and a full social calendar.

Bob knew what he knew and he liked what he liked, and he saw no reason to experiment with anything else. The things he liked included an early tee time, a bottomless cup of hot coffee, Weber charcoal grills, anything purchased with a coupon, and a fresh box of Cheez-Its.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Margaret Chalifoux; brother, Mike Chalifoux; and sisters, Peggy Chalifoux and Rose Chalifoux. Survivors include his daughter, Michelle Nelson, her husband, Scott Nelson, and grandchildren Callie Nelson, Emma Nelson, and Kate Nelson of Atlanta, Georgia. He is also survived by his dear friend Sherry Lynch of Arlington Heights, Illinois; his siblings: Ann Chalifoux of Honolulu, Hawaii; Kathleen Chalifoux of St. Charles, Illinois; Chris (Nancy) Chalifoux of Cincinnati, Ohio; Marguerite Chalifoux of San Francisco, California; and sister-in-law Laurel Chalifoux of Richmond, Virginia. He is further survived by many nieces, nephews and cousins, and will forever be remembered as “Uncle Bob.”

A Mass of Remembrance will be held at St. Mary Parish, 10 N. Buffalo Grove Rd., Buffalo Grove, IL, on Thursday, October 22, 2026 at 10:00 AM. A Celebration of Life with family and friends will be held at a future date.

Memorial Contributions may be made to DementiaTogether.org or ALZ.org.