Leonard J. Fumagalli

Leonard (Lenny) Joseph Fumagalli, 87, of Plainfield, Illinois passed away after a brief illness on Tuesday, November 8, 2011 at Joliet Area Community Hospice.

He was born to the late Louis and Helen (Kowalski) Fumagalli on March 10, 1924 and was a life long resident of Joliet until recently moving to Plainfield, IL He graduated in 1943 from Joliet Township High School and later from Bryant & Stratton College of Business located in Chicago. Leonard is survived by his loving wife of 64 years, Ann Christine Tusek Fumagalli and his seven devoted children and his sons and daughters-in-law: Margaret Ann A�?? Peggy (Robert) Craven; Mark (Maureen Kirkpatrick) Fumagalli; Marilyn Fumagalli; Ann Marie (David) Nelson; Susan (Robert) Catalano; Louis (Kathleen Scully) Fumagalli and Helen (James) Begeske. He will be dearly missed by his ten grandchildren and their spouses: Matthew (Mina Moradi) Fumagalli; Terrence Joseph (Susan Markun) Gruber; Julie Ann (Steven Blake) Troutman; Michael (Kirsten Frederick) Fumagalli; Lisa Fumagalli; David Alex Nelson; Robert Begeske; Michael Nelson; Laura Begeske and Thomas Fumagalli. And his five cherished legacy of great-grandchildren: Jameson Patrick Fumagalli; Alexander Joseph and Benjamin Terrence Gruber; Colin David Troutman and Gable Anson Fumagalli. Leonard is also survived by his sister-in-law, Genevieve (Tusek) Getson and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. In addition to his parents, Leonard was preceded in death by his two sisters and brothers-in-law: Helen and Leo Minnito; Deloris and James Rodway, and one niece, Patricia Rodway Ongenae. Leonard served in the 13th Armored Division of the United States Army from July 1943 to April 1946 in the European Theater during World War II. He was honorably discharged as a Corporal. He received the American Theater Service Medal, European-African-Middle Eastern Theater Service Medal, and Good Conduct Medal for battles and campaigns in Rhineland and Central Europe. Leonard saw combat at the Battle of the Bulge and his Division were among those who liberated the Dachau Concentration Camp in Germany. He spoke to his children and grandchildren as an eyewitness to the Holocaust and impressed upon them to never forget. Leonard married Ann Tusek, daughter of the late Helen Brenc and Marko Tusek, at St. Mary Nativity Church in Joliet on Sept 13, 1947. They were active members of St. Mary Nativity Parish where all seven of their children were baptized and attended grade school. After serving in the army, Leonard worked for a short time with his father at the American Can Company. He then joined the Gulf, Mobile and Ohio Railroad and worked in downtown Chicago as a Passenger Agent and later as a Carloading Engineer and Freight Claims Agent when the GM&O merged and became the Illinois Central Gulf Railroad. He worked with the ICG until his retirement in 1984. He received honors and accolades during his work career as a dedicated and exemplary employee. After his retirement, Leonard and Ann enjoyed many trips with the Railroad Retirement Association and getaways with family to Las Vegas, California, Florida and Hawaii. Lenny will be remembered as the glue of his family and one who held all of them to a high standard. He will be remembered for his generosity to family, friends, co-workers, neighbors, associates, the postal carrier, garbage collectors, various delivery people and strangers. He will be remembered for his delicious, home-cooked Sunday meals; making soup for ill relatives and neighbors; sharing the bounty of his garden tomatoes; offering up his home as a central gathering place for all holidays; for organizing the annual Fumagalli Reunion, and his love of dogs. He excelled at Black Jack and Craps and was an avid card player who played Poker and Euchre in leagues throughout the years. The family wants to make special mention of his 40-year Euchre partner, Richard Ludrovec. Lenny was an active member of the Knights of Columbus #382; The Ravens Athletic Club; Saint Vincent DePaul; VFW Cantigny Post #367; The Joannites; was an usher for Sunday Mass at St. Mary Nativity Church, and volunteer at ShepherdA�??s Table Soup Kitchen. In lieu of flowers, donations will be appreciated in LeonardA�??s name to: Wish Upon a Star Foundation and Joliet Area Community Hospice. A Celebration of LeonardA�??s life will begin on Tuesday, November 15, 2011 with a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 am at St. Mary Nativity Church. Interment to follow at St. Mary Nativity Cemetery. Visitation will be from 10 am until the time of mass at the church. There will be no procession from the funeral home to the church.