James Butitta

James Butitta, 87, Rockford, was called home on February 16, 2018 surrounded by his loving wife Julie of 65 years and children.
He was born December 26, 1930 in Streator,IL to Peter & Stella Butitta.
He attended West High School and graduated from St. Thomas High School in 1948 and attended Brown’s Business College.
On March 22, 1952 he married the love of his life, Julie Keideth of Seattle, WA. They were blessed with eight children.
In 1954 he was drafted into the Army and was stationed in Pittsburgh, PA for 2 years.
Jim worked with his brothers at Rockford Radiator and in 1969 founded and opened the first Butitta Bros. Automotive (known then as Butitta Bros Radiator).
After he retired, Jim and Julie took to the road in their motorhome, traveling the U.S., discovering new places and making new friends. Most of their retirement years were spent in their Naples, FL home far away from the winters of Illinois.
In 1996 Jim suffered a stroke and even though he did not make a full recovery, he diligently worked hard to regain his independence with great success. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus (4th degree), Moose Lodge and the Elks Club.
Jim is survived by his wife Julie, his eight children; John (Janice) Butitta, Jim (Jody) Butitta, Jeanne (Brad) Vallem, Jodi (Mike) Amans, Jeff (Kerry) Butitta, Jerry (Cathie) Butitta, Jill (Keith) Anderson and Jack Butitta. He is also survived by 14 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren, his two brothers Joe Butitta and Matt Butitta of Prescott, AZ and sister Mary Ann Verona of Belvidere. He was predeceased by his parents, his brother Sam Butitta his sister Rosalie Guzzo, his two brother-in laws, Tom Guzzo and Russ Verona and his sister-in-laws Phylis Butitta, Jeanne Butitta and Diana Butitta.
Funeral Mass at 10 a.m. Thursday, February 22, at St. Bridget Catholic Church, 600 Clifford Ave, Loves Park, with Fr. John McNamara officiating. Burial in Calvary Catholic Cemetery. Visitation 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, February 21, at Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory, 1860 S. Mulford Road, Rockford. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, PO Box 22478 Oklahoma City, OK 73123 or Northern Illinois Hospice, 4215 Newburg Rd, Rockford, IL 61108. Online condolences may be submitted at fitzgeraldfh.com