Vincenzo "Vince" Milone

Vincenzo Milone, age 87 of Rockford Il was reunited with his heavenly Father on January 12, 2024. He was born November 28, 1936 in Corleone, Sicily to Ignazio and Lucia Milone.

After emigrating to the United States at the age of 19, Vincenzo returned to Sicily to marry Caterina seven years later. Together, they travelled back to the United States to start their wonderful life together.

Vincenzo was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother and friend. He took immense pride in his family, cherishing moments spent raising his two daughters, teaching his grandchildren to drive and mow the lawn, and, later in life, simply enjoying the presence of his three great-grandchildren.

Vincenzo was a proud member of the International Union of Operating Engineers Local Union 150 as a dedicated employee of J.I. Case and Sjostrom & Sons Construction where he was a welder for 40 plus years. He also worked part-time for Progressive Steel Treating as a welder for 56 years until he was 84 years old.

Vincenzo was a lifelong member of St. Anthony of Padua Church. He loved to garden, landscape, read, and attend his grandchildren’s sporting events; it is rumored that Vincenzo knew more about American Football than any Sicilian in history.

Vincenzo is survived by his wife: Caterina; children: Lucia (Marshall) Hauge of Rockford, Anna (Frank) Calvanese of Rockford; grandchildren: Nicholas Marvin (Kiya) Hauge, Michael Vincenzo Hauge, Vincenzo Calvanese and Gabriella Calvanese; great -grandchildren: Kaiden Rae Hauge, William Vincenzo Hauge, Viola Caterina Hauge and a 4th one on the way; brother: Frank (Maria) Milone; sister-in-law: Josephine (Gaetano) Milone, as well as cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends whom he adored.

Preceding Vincenzo in death were his parents: Ignazio and Lucia; sister: Salvatrice Coronati; brothers: Gaetano and Gino; and nephew: Ignazio Milone.

The family would like to thank the caregivers Samantha, Olivia, Kathy, Tessa, and Pam for their compassionate care. Thank you also to Heather Hartman and her team at Transitions Hospice for their wonderful care.

Funeral Mass will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, January 22, 2024, at St. Anthony of Padua Church, 1010 Ferguson St. in Rockford with Father Carl Beekman officiating. Visitation will be from 9:00 a.m. until the time of Mass at the church on Monday, Jan 22. Interment at Sunset Memorial Gardens Mausoleum.

Arrangements by Fitzgerald Funeral Home and Crematory, Mulford Chapel, Rockford. Express online condolences at www.fitzgeraldfh.com.