John Christopher Buffo

John Christopher Buffo, 44, of Rockford, passed away on Monday, April 27, 2015, after a long illness. John was the beloved son of Joseph and Judy Buffo. John was born on October 23, 1970. John spent his elementary years at St. Bernadette Grade School and graduated from Boylan High School. John loved sports and started his sports career at an early age, playing for the Police Dept. Mighty Mite League. From there it was many hours spent at Roy Gayle, continuing on through Bronco and Pony League. He also played flag football when not playing baseball. While at St. Bernadette Grade School, he played football and basketball. He also found time to be an Altar Boy, serving many Masses for Fr. Larson. John continued on playing football, basketball, and his favorite sport, baseball, at Boylan Catholic High School. Upon graduation, he went on for two years of study at Rock Valley College. You would always find John wearing his favorite Green Bay Packer gear, and in baseball season, it was the Cubs. You could even catch him watching NASCAR. Whatever sport was going on, he was into it. John’s working career started in an optical shop making eyeglasses, but his love of working with his hands and making things work, lead him to a career in installing alarm systems, cable installations, and occasionally installing speaker systems in cars for his buddies. John also spent many hours fishing with his buddies up in Wisconsin, even winning a fishing boat on one trip. He was a special friend, and a very kind and loving person, giving selflessly to all. We will miss him so…

John leaves behind his mom and dad; brother Joe (Luisa) Buffo; sisters, Beth (Brian) Zimmerman, Brenda Buffo, and Becky (David) Miller; special nephews, Joe (Tammy) Ognibene, Ryan Ognibene, Lucas Davidson, Blake and Bronson Miller; special niece, Kelly (Brad) Nordquist; numerous aunts and uncles, cousins; and two very special friends, Todd and Matt. John is predeceased by his grandparents, Peter and Betty Buffo, Ken and Gladys Johnson; and his brother, Bradley Michael Buffo. John’s family would like to thank his caretakers, Tabitha and Travis, and all of the nurses and doctors at Swedish American Hospital, who took care of John.

Funeral service will be 11 a.m., Saturday, May 2, 2015, at Fitzgerald Funeral Home and Crematory, 3910 N. Rockton Ave., Rockford, IL, 61103. Visitation will be 5 to 7 p.m., Friday, May 1, 2015, at Fitzgerald Funeral Home and Crematory, Riverside Chapel; and on Saturday at the funeral home, from 10 a.m. until time of service. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to John’s family.