Zera, Angelo Dominic
On May 20, 2017, 90 year old Angelo Dominic Zera passed away peacefully at 10: 45 a. m. at the Illinois Veteran Home in Manteno, Illinois. He was born on March 31, 1927 in Evanston, Illinois to Alexander and Mary ( Comforti) Zera.
During the summer of 1942 he pitched batting practice for the Chicago Cubs. The Cubs were one of the true loves of his life and he was happy to live long enough to celebrate their World Series win. Angelo was a gifted athlete in his younger years and an avid sports fan all his life, a passion he shared with all his children.
He proudly served his country in the Navy from December 1944 to July 1946 as a Ships’ Cook Third Class on the destroyer escort USS Howard F. Clark. The Clark saw combat in the South Pacific. He was awarded a WWII Victory Medal, Asiatic- Pacific Campaign Medal and an American Area Campaign Medal. Angelo was a member of the Class of 1946 at St. George High School in Evanston, Illinois. His graduation was delayed for over six decades because of his patriotic service in WWII. Due to the kind assistance of his brother Phil and the St. George Alumni Association, he was awarded his diploma in 2013, an event that made him extremely proud.
Upon his discharge he signed a professional minor league baseball contract with the Boston Red Sox. He played one year in the Georgia- Florida League.
When he returned to Illinois he started his road construction career, which lasted 41 years. He rose to the position of superintendent at several companies and was very proud of his role in several projects including construction of the Edens Expressway. His dedicated work ethic was noted by all.
He and Blanche Catherine Schmitt married on August 28, 1948 and they shared 43 years together until her passing in 1991. In 1954 he and Blanche moved to Lincolnwood, Illinois where he continued to live until 2004. To be closer to his children, he moved to Palatine, Illinois in 2004.
He was preceded in death by his parents and stepmother Julia Zera; his wife, Blanche and sister, Anna Mae Mumich. He is survived by his 5 children, Greg, Frank ( Elizabeth), Cathy ( Jim) McCabe, Larry ( Connie), Rick ( Fran); 10 grandchildren, Lisa, Gina, Alan, Dan, Jerry, Becky, Shannon, Jenna, Kate, and Brett; 14 great- grandchildren, John, Kyle, Jeffrey, Giuliana, Ellie, Sam, Hunter, Camden, Ryker, Kaleb, Connor, Chaniya, Martin, and Charlotte; brothers, Alex, Phil; sister, Angie Allen, and numerous nephews and nieces.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, June 17, 2017 at The Ahlgrim Family Funeral Home, 201 N. Northwest Hwy, Palatine Illinois, 60067, 847- 358- 7411. Visitation is from 2: 00 p. m. to 4: 00 p. m., with a memorial service and family and friend remembrances from 4: 00 p. m. to 5: 00 p. m. Interment will be private.
Those wishing to make donations are asked to consider the Ovarian Cancer Society or the Illinois Veterans Home in Manteno, Illinois.