John E Rizzo

He leaves behind his beloved wife Sharon Lynn (Vescio) , Son John C., Suzi (Rivers), son Michael, Veronica (Gomez Romo), and late son Gino, his grandchildren Courtney Schneider (John), Brittany Van Iten (Adam, Samantha Lynn Rizzo, and his great grandchildren Macie, Kasson, Johnny, Khalani, Chase and Jordan.

He was uncle to Debbie, Amy, Katie Jennie, Eddie, Michael, John, Dena, David, and James (Godson). A beloved big brother to Sue Harrison (Ed), Barbara Rizzo (Frank Sleyko), Paul Rizzo, and Mary Jane Antonov (Greg). Brother-in law to Richard (Joyce) and John. A cousin and Godfather to many.

He is preceded in death by John C. Rizzo (father), Pauline Rizzo (Curry) (mother), along with many aunts and uncles.

John was born in Chicago, attended Sacred Heart School and Fenwick High School. He then attended St. Gregory and Saint Thomas College and graduated from Northwestern University with his Master’s degree. He worked at the phone company as a lineman for IBEW Local 336 and was later promoted to manager. He became a speaker for AT&T’s Speaker’s Bureau. He was also a trainer and wrote a training guide for installers. He retired from AT&T in 1999. He was married for 56 years. He lived in Minnesota, then Melrose Park, IL before purchasing his home in Berkeley, IL where he lived for 45 years before moving to Downers Grove, IL.

Now for the good stuff. His many talents included drawing, calligraphy, gardening, embarrassing his children and grandchildren (the great grandkids aren’t old enough to know better) with his horrible jokes. He was very social having weekly “Snaps” with his friends at their favorite watering hole. He loved rock-n-roll music, especially doo-wop songs, and any other music that would drive the grand kids, nieces, and nephews from any room while holding their ears in protest. When he was younger, he earned the dance title of “The Mashed Potato King” of Melrose Park, a title that would haunt him for decades especially when the oldies station would come on. Hail to the King!

He had lifelong friends from kindergarten (these were the ones that caused the most trouble and were dubbed the “Crayola gang” by their leader George Podrasky), college, the phone company, and all throughout his life, blissfully unaware of his hooligan childhood. He was an avid Chicago Bear fan known for his profanity laced critiques of botched plays often yelling at the TV while his family ran for cover and prayed for a win.

He was a Trustee for the Village of Berkeley for many years (No indictments. Phew!) John served on the Board of Directors at Trinity High School. He served as an altar boy at Sacred Heart church when he was in grade school (probably as penance) and later served Saint Domitillas Church in Hillside on their parish board. He became a “Lector.”. He prayed every day. We’d like to believe it worked.

He was a member of Kiwanis. No one is certain about why he left, but it may have had something to do with the suspicious Peanut Day bag disappearances of 1991. Nothing was ever proven. The peanuts were never found. He was a Boy Scout Leader for a short time. His favorite role was as a party host and entertainer. Despite his bad jokes, he made everyone laugh.