Joseph "Joe" E. Buffo

Joe passed away on Thursday, August 13 2020 in his home surrounded by his loving family. Joe “Buf” was born in Rockford, IL to Peter F. and Gioconda “Betty” (Appolloni) Buffo. Joe attended St. Anthony grade school graduating in 1955 and on to St. Thomas High School graduating in 1959. While at St. Thomas he played all sports and was voted All City Halfback in football in 1958. He attended Northern Illinois University and lettered in football. He married Judith L. Johnson on July 15, 1961 at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church. They celebrated their 59th wedding anniversary in 2020. He was an avid fan of the Green Bay Packers, as he had met Paul Hornung at his high school Athletic Sports Banquet. He attended many Packer games at Lambeau and Milwaukee and loved to tailgate. He also coached St. Anthony eighth grade football and basketball. He coached Auburn St. Hardware and Rockford Police Department little league baseball teams at Roy Gayle. He was an excellent accordion player and entertained his family on many holidays. Joe and his pals had great times on their fly-in fishing and hunting trips in Canada. Joe was a life-long Winnebago County resident working for 11 years at Mid-States Lath & Plaster. He then worked as a liquor salesman for Valley Liquors, Paramount Distributing, and Southern Wine and Spirits for 28 years before retiring in 2005. He was a member of the Venetian Club for 63 years and served as recording secretary and council member. He is a current member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Pecatonica. He was also a member of St. Bernadette Catholic Church for 43 years and served as an extraordinary minister, bus driver, funeral committee, and distributed communion to the home bound. He was a Third Degree Knight of Columbus member serving on several different committees. Grandpa Joe loved taking his grandchildren for rides on his tractor and golf cart.
Survivors include his devoted wife of 59 years, Judy; daughters, Beth (Brian) Zimmerman, Brenda Buffo, Rebecca (David) Miller; grandchildren, Kelly, Joe, Lucas, Blake, Bronson, Brad, Mary, and Nikki and 12 great grandchildren; brothers, Maurice (Jacque) Buffo, Peter (Cindy) Buffo and numerous nieces and nephews. Joe was predeceased by his parents; sons, Bradley Michael, Joseph Patrick, and John Christopher. The family would like to thank Mercy Health Home Hospice, especially Amy and Cathy for their compassion and care.
Walk through visitation will be held Wednesday, August 19, 2020 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory, Riverside Chapel 3910 N. Rockton Ave. Rosary will be recited at 7:00 p.m. Masks are required and social distancing must be maintained. Funeral Mass will be Thursday, August 20, 2020 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Bernadette Catholic Church. Entombment at Calvary Catholic Cemetery Mausoleum. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association.