Charles Kenneth Brackett, aka "Blue Foo," 89, of Winnebago, passed away peacefully on Sunday, August 23, 2026. Born September 17, 1936, in Assumption, Illinois to Charles and Malvina (Molly) Brackett. Married Patricia Lester on April 26, 1958, and were blessed to celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary prior to her passing. In his younger years, Charles was honored to serve the Rockford community as a firefighter at Station 1 and as a dispatcher. Throughout his life, he continued to support his fellow firefighters and often stopped by the stations. He served as Fire Chief of the J.L.Clark Employee Fire Brigade where he organized and trained the volunteers. He was an avid model railroader and built his own model railroad layout. Charles was a fierce protector of his family and celebrated and supported his children’s and grandchildren’s accomplishments and never missed their many sporting events, band concerts, dance and theater performances. Along with his wife, he was an integral part of his daughter's family theatre company. His favorite pastimes were family game nights, puzzles, crossword puzzles, cribbage, and chess.
Survivors include his children, Charles (Jana) Brackett, Jr., Lori Stanton, Stephen(Susan) Brackett, Michele (Todd) Bonzi and Julie (Victor) Medina; grandchildren, Aaron (Katie) Brackett, Patrick Brackett, Ben (Marisa) Bonzi, William Brackett, Samantha Bonzi and Molly (Tate) Stottmann; great-grandchildren, Caden and Austin Brackett, Adalric and Evalina Stottmann; sisters, Dee (Chuck) Peila and Patty (Dan) Kimball; brother, John Sparacino; in-laws, Donald Schulz, Phil (Kathy) Manni, and Adabelle Scarpitto; many special nieces, nephews, great-nieces great-nephews aunts and uncles and cousins. Predeceased by his "special angel" of 60 years, wife, Patricia; parents Charles K. (Adeline) Brackett and Malvina (Anthony) Sparacino; brothers, Peter Brackett and Bob Brackett; sisters, Rosemary Schulz, Toni Sparacino, Janice Snow, and Barbara Hacker; son-in-law, Greg Stanton; in-laws, Kenneth and Sylvia Lester, Ronald Lester, Gloria and Michael Dermer, Robert Scarpitto, and nephew, Todd Dermer. Special thanks to OSF Critical Care, OSF Comfort Care, OSF Home Healthcare, Gift of Hope and special family/nurse, Carole Atkins for all their exceptional care.
All services will be held at Sunset Funeral Home, 8800 N. Alpine Rd, Machesney Park. Visitation 4:00-6:30 p.m. Thursday, August 27th; Funeral Service on Friday, August 28, at 10:30 a.m. with a visitation prior at 9:30 a.m. Burial following the service.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Jude's Children's Hospital or Boys Town.
