George ‘Prieto’ Gonzalez dies at age 46, designer and businessman

George “Prieto” Gonzalez, a long-time resident of the Near West Side community, died on March 31 after a long battle with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. He was 46 years old.

            Mr. Gonzalez was the beloved son of Guadalupe and David Gonzalez; cherished brother of Armando (Vicky), Patricia (Bernardo) DeLeon, David (Maria), Gloria, Ana, and Arturo. He was the loving uncle of Magdalena, Jennifer,

Bernardo, Rigoberto, Janette, Nicolas, Alex, Natalie, and Blanca.

            Affectionately known as “Prieto” by many and well liked by everyone who met him, Mr. Gonzalez was born on Nov. 19, 1961, in El Paso, TX. The Gonzalez family moved to Chicago in 1969 and resided at 1500 W. Taylor St. Mr. Gonzalez attended Notre Dame de Chicago Academy and Holy Trinity High School.

            After graduation, he moved to California and attended the Fashion Institute of Design, and received an associate designer degree. Mr. Gonzalez then moved back to Chicago and launched his own clothing line called “Prieto Lamas Design.” His specialty was one-of-a-kind robes, coats, and jackets. In addition to his own design passion, Mr. Gonzalez loved to work with clients to fulfill their visions, all the while adding his personal touch.

            He enjoyed traveling around the world, especially to his favorite destinations of Italy and Hawaii.

            Mr. Gonzalez also earned a degree in business administration. For the past seven years, he was employed at TTX. His boss, Sandee Jamison, remembered George’s smile.  “He had the brightest smile and a vibrant personality to match,” recalled Jamison. “He took great pride in his work and was always eager to learn new things. He also won two awards for his ideas on how to improve the company. He was very outgoing and loved to travel. He would always share his pictures and show us of all the exotic places he had ventured to. Everyone always had something good to say about George. We will miss him and when we see the sun shining we will think of George's smile. He was a pleasure to work with.” 

            According to Mr. Gonzalez’s sister, Patricia DeLeon, “everyone who met George was immediately drawn to him by his loving and caring personality and his warm smile. He was a very loyal and dear friend to many. We all will miss him tremendously. We have truly lost a good person on this earth. However, we are comforted by knowing that we have an angel with us in Heaven until we are united once again.” 

Services for Mr. Gonzalez were held at Modell Funeral Home. A Funeral Mass was said at Notre Dame de Chicago Church. Interment is at Resurrection Cemetery.

 

Teresa Suera, long-time resident, dies at age 83

Teresa Suera (nee Bifero), a long-time resident of the Near West Side community, died on April 1. She was 83 years old.

            Mrs. Suera was the wife of the late Vincenzo “Jimmy” Suera; loving mother of Frank, Augie (Donna, nee Danno), Salvatore “Sammy” (the late Janice Folinazzo) and Maria (Franko) Tabar; daughter of the late Aristide (Mary Grace, nee Salzano) Bifero; loving grandmother of Franko Jr., Andrea Teresa (Carmie Scalise), Lisa, Vincenzo, Paulie Frank, Ashley, Anthony, Salvator Jr., and Gina; and loving great-grandmother of Stefani Teresa and Lyla Rose; and aunt of many nieces and nephews.

            Mrs. Suera followed her husband, Vincenzo, from Acerra, Italy, to America in 1954 with her three youngest children, Frank, Augie, and Salvatore. Her husband was born in Kenosha, WI, but returned to Italy as an infant. Upon his return to the United States, he settled in Chicago and took up a career as a barber. Mr. Suera preceded his wife in death 30 years ago.

            Mrs. Suera was a familiar face on south Bishop St. and enjoyed the company of her neighbors and friends. 

            “My mother was a very loving person who worked very hard to care for her children and grandchildren,” recalled her daughter Maria Tabar. “She also was very courageous having endured a very serious car accident on west Taylor St. in 2003. She was hospitalized for four months and had to learn to walk all over again. Two years later, she fell in her home and broke her right hip and had to begin her rehab all over again.

            “But she endured, mostly because she loved her family so much,” added Tabar.

            Services were held at Salerno’s Galewood Chapel, Frank Reda & Son, directors. A funeral Mass was said at the Shrine of Our Lady of Pompeii. Interment is at Queen of Heaven Cemetery in Hillside, IL. 

 

John A. ‘Johnny’ Zonzo Jr. dies suddenly at age 50

John A. Zonzo Jr., died suddenly on Jan. 25. He was 50 years old.

            Mr. Zonzo was the father of John III, Dante and Bella; son of Josephine (nee Sciabica) and the late John A. Zonzo Sr.; brother of JoAnn (Joseph) Parella and Jenny (Pavel) Balaz; and uncle of many.

            Mr. Zonzo worked for the Berwyn-Cicero Board of Education and formerly was employed with the City of Chicago Department of Streets and Sanitation.

            “Johnny was full of life and had a wonderful sense of humor,” recalled his brother-in-law Joe Parrella. “He was a great father and sports fan and enjoyed cheering for the Chicago Blackhawks and White Sox. He had a great many friends who always enjoyed his company and was very family oriented.”

            Services were held at Salerno’s Galewood Chapel, Frank Reda & Son, directors.  A funeral Mass was said at Our Lady Mother of the Church. Interment is at Mt. Carmel Cemetery in Hillside.

 

Sr. Florence Marie Gerdes, former St. Ignatius instructor, dies at age 89

Sr. Florence Marie Gerdes, C.S.J., a member of the Sisters of St. Joseph of LaGrange community for 70 years, died on Feb. 24.  She was 89 years old.

            Sr. Gerdes entered the founding Congregation of LaGrange on Aug. 15, 1938.

She taught elementary education for five years and secondary education for 34 years.  She taught classical languages and Latin and Greek mythology. Sr. Gerdes was on the faculty at St. Ignatius College Prep for 13 years and was on the faculty at Nazareth Academy for 21 years.

            Sr. Gerdes was the daughter of the late Frances Xavier Gerdes and Mary (nee Bennett); sister of the late Florence Freeman; and aunt of Richard Freeman. A funeral Mass was said at the Sisters of St. Joseph Motherhouse Chapel. Interment is at Queen of Heaven Cemetery in Hillside, IL.

            Memorials can be made the Sisters of St. Joseph of LaGrange by calling (708) 354-9200.

 

Josephine M. Pintozzi dies at age 92

Josephine M. Pintozzi, a long-time resident of the Near West Side community, died on Feb. 1. She was 92 years old.  

            Ms. Pintozzi was the daughter of the late Joseph and Vita (nee Panza) and sister of the late Antoinette, Lucille, and Mary Pintozzi.

            Ms. Pintozzi lived for many years throughout Europe and especially enjoyed her time living and working in Italy. She returned to Chicago’s Near West Side neighborhood to care for her sisters and rekindled her relationship with her many friends and neighbors in the community and at Notre Dame de Chicago Parish.

            A funeral Mass was held at Notre Dame de Chicago Church, and her wake was held at Salerno’s Galewood Chapel, Frank Reda & Son, directors. Interment is at Mt. Carmel Cemetery in Hillside, IL.