Mariano Mike Musso

Mariano ""Mike"" Musso, 82, passed from this earth to His Eternal home to be with his daughter Teresa North on Monday, May 5, 2008 at Riverbluff Nursing Home at 8:15 p.m. Born May 31, 1925 in Rockford, son of Frank and Lena (Tomasino) Musso. Married Grace Blomquist/Billings on July 28, 1956 at St. Anthony Parish. Worked at Sundstrand Hydraulics for 41 years. He was a member of the Local 592, a life long member of St. Anthony Parish and a United States Veteran of the Korean War belonging to the Korean Veterans Association. Was a great husband, father, grandpa and great grandpa. He was always willing to help anyone and was called ""the mayor of the area"" where he lived. He loved bowling, golfing and hunting and was an avid Chicago Cubs and Bears fan. The family would like to extend a special thank you to Dr. Robert Hahnel for the 30 years he watched over Mikes care and to Riverbluff Nursing Home staff in the Blue Jay and Cardinal wings. Survived by his wife Grace of Rockford; step-daughter Pamela (Max) Horn-Moore of Fairbury; son, Greg (Paulette Gatchel) Musso of Rockford; son-in-law, Scott North of Chandler, AZ; grandsons, Matthew (Teresa) Horn of Leander, TX and Michael (Hillary Turner) Horn of Austin, TX; great grandchildren, Leah and Benjamin Horn of Leander, TX; sister, Virginia Castanza of Rockford; brothers, Del Musso and Pasquale (Olga) both of Rockford; many nieces and nephews. Special friends Walter (Barb) Landgraf who have always been there in times of fun and in need Bill Hogeland, Earl (Jessie) Carter and Bob Swanson. Mike spent many happy days with all of these people, thank you. He was preceded in death by his young daughter, Teresa North on July 2, 2007, his parents, brothers, Dominics and Roy. Funeral Mass Saturday, May 10, 2008 at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church at 10:00 a.m. with Rev. William R. Wentink officiating. Interment in Willwood Burial Park. Visitation Friday, May 9 at Fitzgerald Funeral Home, Mulford Chapel 1860 S. Mulford Rd. from 5-8 p.m. with a Rosary service to be recited at 8 p.m. In lieu of flowers memorials to the family or a charity of ones choice.