Cover photo for Andrew P. Nanni's Obituary
Andrew P. Nanni Profile Photo
1930 Andrew 2015

Andrew P. Nanni

December 14, 1930 — November 2, 2015

ANDREW PETER NANNI DEC. 14, 1930 TO NOV. 2, 2015 ROCKFORD - Andrew Nanni, craftsman, jokester, foodie, catch and release fisherman, and straight shooter, died Nov. 2, 2015. Andrew had been eating and preparing real, and slow, food long before there was a real, or slow, food movement. No white bread "duck food" for this Italian. His traditional sugo (pasta sauce) simmered and stewed from sunup to sundown, and his soups were a little of this and a little of that, except for his memorable cream of garlic: that was straight garlic, sixteen heads to be exact. There could never be too much garlic. It was his soulful concoctions that brought him much of his notoriety in his 30 years with the Rockford Fire Dept., despite lives saved and newborns delivered. He wasn't only famous for good eats, but good laughs. Forever a practical joker, he had a soft spot for flatulence humor. Indeed, any viewing of The Nutty Professor was near occasion to write this obituary. This was in stark contrast to his gruff exterior, which made it all the more hilarious. Andrew's bark has always been louder than his bite. He was always willing to lend a hand wherever needed, even at Marshall Field's flagship store in downtown Chicago. Promptly and matter-of-factly, he assisted police officers apprehending a shoplifter who'd gotten a hold of one of their batons. Taking control of the individual, he handed the baton to the police officers, chiding "Now hold onto it." A man of his word, his home construction business was built on word-of-mouth alone, and he continued it well into retirement. The house he built for his family of six in Rockford's Maplewood neighborhood is a testament to his craftsmanship, while the play structure he built for his granddaughter exemplifies his artistry. A Rockford native, Andrew never forgot a face or a name. He could and would talk to anyone anywhere. And for that, he always seemed to run into someone he knew - even while camping with his family in California and Arizona, or relaxing at his favorite fishing hole in Balsam Lake, WI. Andy made time for friends throughout his life, regularly keeping in touch with those from his elementary days at Kishwaukee. Unbeknownst by the many that loved him, Andrew had a sneaky sweet tooth that only reared its sugary head in the wee hours of the morning, leaving crumbs as the only clue to this secretive lifestyle. Like the last campfire marshmallow of summer, his hard, crusty exterior and warm, gooey center will be missed by all. Survivors include his loving wife of 64 years, Vivian (Horton) Nanni of Rockford; children, Linda Portelli of Madison, WI., David (Anne) Nanni of Spokane, WA., Laura Nanni and Steve Nanni, both of Rockford; grandchildren, Amy (Chad) Unbehan, Andria Nanni and Alex Nanni; great-grandchildren, Clara, Alice and Mabel Unbehaun; brothers, Peter (Anita) Nanni of Rockford; Dario (Debbie) Nanni of Stillman Valley and Mario Nanni of Rockford. He was preceded in death by his parents, Dario Nanni and Josephine Calacurcio (Kenneth Naill) and his beloved Alaskan Malamute, Doc a.k.a. Snow King of the Yukon. Funeral service at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2015, at Fitzgerald Funeral Home and Crematory, Mulford Chapel, 1860 S. Mulford Rd. Burial will be held in Arlington Memorial Park Cemetery. Visitation from 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 17, at the funeral home, followed by a Christian Wake Service and prayers. Visitation also from 10 a.m. Wednesday until time of service. In lieu of flowers, memorials to: Camp I Am Me, in care of: Illinois Fire Safety Alliance, 426 W. Northwest Highway, Mount Prospect, IL 60056 or visit http://www.ifsa.org/donate. Express online condolences at: www.fitzgeraldfh.com. -

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Service Schedule

Past Services

Visitation

Wednesday, November 18, 2015

10:00 - 11:00 am (Eastern time)

Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory - Mulford Chapel

1860 South Mulford Road, Rockford, IL 61108

Enter your phone number above to have directions sent via text. Standard text messaging rates apply.

Service

Wednesday, November 18, 2015

Starts at 11:00 am (Eastern time)

Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory - Mulford Chapel

1860 South Mulford Road, Rockford, IL 61108

Enter your phone number above to have directions sent via text. Standard text messaging rates apply.

Burial

Arlington Memorial Park Cemetery

6202 Charles Street, Rockford, IL 61108

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