Joseph "Joe" J. Alonzo

Joseph J. Alonzo, 83, of Roscoe, passed away unexpectedly on Monday, September 19, 2022 at his home. He was born in Rockford, Illinois on February 4, 1939, to Joseph and Edith (Baraconi) Alonzo. Joe graduated from Rockford East High School Class of ‘57. Joe and his wife, Beth, have been together for 39 years.

Joe worked for 44 years in the Pet Food Manufacturing business. He was hired by the Rockford, Quaker Oats Company in 1957 at age 18 and eventually became Production Manager. Due to the Plant closure in 1987, Joe transferred to the Lawrence, Kansas Plant to continue his management career. He ultimately retired in 2001 and moved back to the Rockford area to be near family and friends.

Joe was an outdoorsman, who enjoyed hunting, fishing and trap shooting. Those sports were well taught to Joe early in life by his beloved mentor and brother-in-law Robert Prentice. Joe loved to reminisce of their many outdoor adventures together. He also loved athletic sports. In his younger days, Joe was a highly skilled and well known basketball and fastpitch baseball player. An interesting “if you know, you know” fact about Joe is that he had a love for cutting down trees on his 6 acre property and was still downing trees at age 83.

Joe was known for his outgoing personality, sense of humor, appreciation for a good meal, listening to his “buddy”, Rush Limbaugh and talking (arguing) politics. He was a huge country music fan. He loved sitting outside and very loudly singing along to the tunes, saying he was sure the neighbors were enjoying his singing. Beth thought differently. He was proud of his Italian heritage and loved to tell stories of his adventurous childhood growing up in an Italian neighborhood in South East Rockford.

Joe will forever be remembered as a loving husband, father, grandfather and friend.

Joe is survived by his wife, Beth; sons, David Alonzo, Bruce (Cynthia) Alonzo, Todd Espy and daughter, Kelly Espy. Grandchildren, Kira Alonzo, Bianca Alonzo, Joseph Alonzo and Dominick Alonzo.

Joe is preceded in death by his parents; brother, Frank Alonzo; sisters, Rose Prentice, Marcella Cacciatore and very special lifetime friend, Joseph Choppi.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, September 28, 2022, from 9:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church, 1010 Ferguson St, Rockford, IL 61102. Memorial Mass will follow at 11:00 a.m. at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Barbara Olson Center of Hope, 3206 N Central Ave, Rockford, IL 61101. Cremation rites entrusted with Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory. Interment will be private.