Michele "Mike" Galluzzo

Michele “Mike” Galluzzo, 76, of Rockford, passed away on Monday, April 24, 2017. He was born on April 6, 1941 in Aragona, Sicily, the son of Gerlando and Alfonsa (Di Giacomo) Galluzzo. He and his siblings worked on the family farm at young ages and, like many other young men of Aragona during that generation, traveled to other European countries in search of employment opportunities when they became old enough to leave home. He served in the Italian Military and eventually moved to Brussels, Belgium where he worked at various jobs. He married Maria Morreale in 1967 and they lived in Brussels, Belgium a few years and then immigrated to Rockford in 1973. He co-owned Sam’s Pizza for over 40 years, actively serving the community through his restaurant hospitality. Michele was a member of Holy Family Catholic Church.

Michele enjoyed being surrounded by his children, grandchildren, extended family and friends, especially taking great joy with his grandchildren. He loved to garden, dance and socialize and he maintained a good sense of humor. He always worked hard to provide better opportunities for his children, instilling in them a strong work ethic and the importance of family.

He is survived by his wife, Maria; his children, Flo (Norb) Ziemer, Gino (Mary) Galluzzo, Joe (Amy Salvi) Galluzzo, and Sal (Brigit) Galluzzo; his grandchildren, Gerry Van Etten, Elena Ziemer, Marina, Michael, Dante, Milania, Anthony, Ava, and Gianni Galluzzo; his siblings, Natale (Giuseppa) Galluzzo, Carmela Di Giacomo, Maria Di Giacomo, Gerlanda Salamone, Giuseppa (Rosario) Salamone, and Rosa (Alfonso) Di Giacomo; his in-laws, Rosa (Giuseppe) Sprio, Luigi Sprio, Carmela Di Sciacca, Giuseppa Galluzzo, Maria Caramazza; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He is predeceased by his parents, grandchildren, Giancarlo Van Etten and Joshua Ziemer, his brothers, Vincenzo Galluzzo and Salvatore Galluzzo, his son in-law, Mark Van Etten, in-laws, Giuseppe and Caterina Morreales, brothers in-law, Filippo Salamone, Pietro Di Giacomo, Salvatore Di Giacomo, and Angelo Di Sciacca.

A special thank you to OSF Hospice staff for all of their care and compassion during this time.

Funeral Mass will be held on Monday, May 1, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. at Holy Family Catholic Church. A visitation will be held on Sunday, April 30, 2017 from 3:00-5:00 p.m. at Fitzgerald Funeral Home, Mulford Chapel, and will continue Monday morning at 10:00 a.m. at the church. Entombment in Sunset Memorial Gardens.