John Epifanio

John Ralph Epifanio passed away suddenly on January 5th, 2015 at the age of 84. Born November 18, 1931 in Chicago, John was the 4th child of parents, Ralph and Sophie Epifanio (nee Vaglica) who preceded him in passing. He also was predeceased by his wife Rosemary (nee LaHirt), his brother Michael, his sister Josephine Modica, his brother in-law Andrew, and sisters’ in-law Shirley and Joyce. John is survived by his older brother Joseph; his six loving children Ralph (Laura), Paul, John (Jean), Michele Bauer (Phillip), Patrice Bergman (Jeffrey), and Gina Gusloff (Christopher); 15 grandchildren - Natalie, Pauly, Eric, Evan, Emily, Johnny, Luke, Elyssa, Julianna, Nikki, Carly, Jimmy, TJ, Maddie, Mia, and Molly; and 8 nieces and nephews, Michael, Andrea, Sharon, Francine, Cindy, Gerard, Joseph, and Ralph and their families. John is also survived by his fiance, Sandra Straus, her two children David (Robin) and Lauri, and four grandchildren (Billy, Kaite, Ally, and Nicky). In his energetic youth, John lived on Marmora Street, attended St. Theresa grade school and later graduated from St. Vincent DePaul Academy. After high school he began a lengthy career in business and public service. Not one to sit idle for too long, he was involved—quite often with his brothers and close friends-- in a string of successful businesses, including two grocery stores (Pioneer Grocery and Eppies Finer Foods), several restaurants, Villa Golf, and Catering by Victoria. Most recently, he managed the business affairs for a family real estate partnership. Over the years, he also ran for public office, campaigned vigorously for a number of local and national candidates, was employed as an office chief for the Illinois Department of Employment Security, and coached his sons in youth football and other sports. John enjoyed both sports and the arts. As a long-time fan of the Chicago Bears, he owned season tickets since the 1950’s when home games were held in Wrigley Field. He also was a long-time fan of the Chicago Cubs and Black Hawks, and shared seats with his life-long friend, Joe Bottalla, for a tremendous run of DePaul University Blue Demons basketball teams during the Ray and Joey Meyer eras. Throughout his life he enjoyed opera and had a powerful singing voice well into his 80’s. Finally, John held family close and dearly. Simply, it was his greatest achievement in life, and here quantity mattered above all. He always treated in-laws as kin and felt that there was always room at the table for one more. For this, he will be missed most of all. In lieu of flowers, John wished to be remembered through simple acts of kindness or gestures of generosity of your own choosing.