Luigi Ziccarelli, 86, of Kenosha, passed away Saturday, March 8th, 2008, peacefully at St. Catherine's Medical Center from a broken heart. Born in Providence of Morano, Principal of Cosenza, Italy, on September 11, 1921, he was the son of the late Joseph and Virginia (Sorrentino) Ziccarelli. He came to Kenosha from Italy in 1954. He served in the Italian Army during World War II where he received the Italian Cross, which is equivalent to the Congressional Medal of Honor. On February 3, 1946, he married Innocenza Ruffolo in Italy. She preceded him in death on February 28, 2008. Together with his wife, he owned and operated Luigi's Restaurant since April of 1963. He was a member of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Catholic Church and the Italian-American Club. In his earlier years he enjoyed hunting and fishing and more recently he enjoyed gambling. Surviving are two sons, Anthony M. (Catherine) Ziccarelli and John N. Ziccarelli, both of Kenosha; two sisters, Gilda Sorrentino of Kenosha and Lidia Barbieri of Italy; seven grandchildren, Louis, Nicholas, Nicole, Jason, Ryan, Rachel, and Jacob; and one great-grandchild, Caden. He was preceded in death by a son, Dr. Joseph Ziccarelli, and a brother, Silvio Ziccarelli. The family would like to thank Dr. Joseph Garretto and the staff at St. Joseph's Home for the Aged for their care and compassion for both Luigi and Innocenza. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, March 11th, at Proko Funeral Home from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. On Wednesday relatives and friends are asked to meet at All Saints Mausoleum Chapel at 11:30 a.m. for the funeral service.Proko Funeral Home & Crematory5111-60th StreetKenosha, WI 53144Phone: (262) 654-3533Visit Luigi's Online Memorial Book at:www.prokofuneralhome.com
Condolences
Todd and Robin Garrigan
Our sympathy to the Ziccarelli family and LuAnn. You've walked through extremely difficult days, but you did not walk alone. I pray that faith sustain you and the love of dear ones restore you now and in the days ahead. Luigi's life is now complete by returning to the loving hands of our creator. May your heart be comforted at this time of sorrow.
gaby
May 20, 2012
Ryan,and the Ziccarelli Family,I am so sorry about the lost of your grandparents. My thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family during this hard time.
Barb Waltman (Kanehl)
March 24, 2008
Dear Tony, John and family,I was so shocked to hear of your mom and dad's passing. I just found out this past weekend. Your Dad and family were so kind to me and I'll never forget working there. I don't know if you remember me, but I worked there as a cook for about 5 years with Gina while I was in high school and lived a half block from the restaurant. Lori Irving and I were best friends (she worked there too as a waitress). My mom, Grace Kanehl, work at the American State Bank for many years and also knew your Dad. (She passed away in 2002.) Your Dad was very special to me. He would always give me advice and had a great sense of humor. They will both be greatly missed by everyone. My prayers go out to you and your family.Barb Waltman (maiden name Kanehl)
John Wells
March 17, 2008
Dear Tony and John,I cannot express in words had the loss of your father so soon after the loss of your mother. I can only look at your father's smile in the picture and remember how hard working and loving he was to your entire family. I am so sorry.Regards to you both,John
Betty (Fonte) Johnson
March 14, 2008
You have my deepest sympathy in the loss of both your parents. They were wonderful people who always made us feel very welcome whenever we came to eat at their restaurant. I also felt privileged to know them both since my brother, Frank Fonte, provided sausage and meat for your parents at their restaurant. Frank has lived in Las Vegas since 1989 but whenever he came home for a visit, he made sure he went to Luigi's for the delicious ravioli.I can only imagine how devestated and numb you must feel after losing not only one but both parents in a week's time. I am so sorry for your loss. I apologize for not having come to pay my respects, especially when your mother passed, but I have had a bad cold.Sincerely,Betty (Fonte) Johnson
Kathy Olsen (Irving)
March 13, 2008
Hi I'm one of the Irving sisters. I have moved down to Arkansas 30 years ago. While my parents still lived in Wisconsin we use to come back to visit and would eat at Luigi's Restaurant to get the best tasting pizza. Our prayers go out to your family for the lost of your parents. Kathy and Larry Olsen
gary reagles
March 12, 2008
sorry for your great loss. Luigi was a kind and good gentleman. I used to eat pizza with him in the kitchen way back in the 1960's. (as a friend of one of your drivers) He will be missed, thanks for the memories, gary reagles, salton city california
Bill Irving & family.
March 11, 2008
Dear Tony & John,Very sorry to hear of the loss of your parents. When I worked at Hendricksons, your dad always took time out from his busy schedule to talk. & when we were hungry, we could always count on Luigi's restaurant for a very good meal. Even after getting married & moving out of town, I went back to Luigi's & introduced my children to the delights of your parents' cooking & their conversation. Your parents will be fondly remembered by our family. Thanks for all the memories & God bless.
Patti (Lovetro) Feest
March 10, 2008
I am so sorry to hear about both Luigi and his wife... I worked for them many years ago, and loved the experience I had at the best restaurant in Kenosha! I will never forgot his sense of humor and how my cousin Joya and I could give him a hard time, and he took it very well, and laughed along with us. Those were some very special years that I worked there, meeting people, and learning things from both of them about food and how delicious they could make it! I also met my husband at that restaurant, and we have been together for 34 years!!! I'm so sorry once again for your losses, but I know they are both together again, and in a much more beautiful place. You have my sympathy. I live in Sheboygan now, so I won't be able to attend the service, but my heart and thoughts are with all of you. Patti (Lovetro) Feest
Gil Rognstad
March 10, 2008
Deepest sympathy from our family to yours. My father, Ed, was a dear friend of Luigi and Innocenza, and even worked for them way back when! They will be sorely missed and never forgotten.
AL & Betty Gonzales
March 10, 2008
We are very sorry to hear of the lost of your Mother & Father, are Prayer are with the Ziccarelli family's .Al,Betty,Miranda Gonzales
BOB AND ELAINE IBSEN
March 10, 2008
DEAR ZICCARELI FAMILY, I WANT YOU TO KNOW HOW WE LOVED TO GO TO THE RESTAURANT AND SEE YOUR MOM AND DAD AT THEIR TABLE AT THE BACK. WE FELT ,AS THO, WE KNEW THEM AFTER ALL THE YEARS WE ORDERED PIZZA AND HAD OUR SPAGHETTI DINNERS THERE. OUR TWO CHILDREN WERE ALWAYS SO HAPPY WHEN THEY KNEW WE WOULD EAT AT LUIGI'S.. WHEN OUR SON COMES TO VISIT FROM AUSTRALIA THE FIRST PLACE WE TAKE HIM IS LUIGI'S. THEY GAVE US MANY GREAT YEARS OF GOOD FOOD AT PRICES FAMILIES CAN AFFORD.. WE SHALL MISS THEIR SMILING FACES AND HOPE THAT THE FAMILY CARRIES ON THE TRADITION. OUR PRAYERS GO OUT TO YOU ALL. BOB AND ELAINE IBSEN
Dennis Steinseifer
March 10, 2008
Dear Tony and John, So sorry to hear about you Mom and Dad. I had many great times and great food when I used to deliver for you guys. No matter how busy or crazy it got in the kitchen, they kept things under control and treated everyone great. My thoughts are with you. Dennis Steinseifer ("Pussycat")
Doug, Bonnie Mogensen and Family
March 9, 2008
Dear Tony and John,We are so sorry to hear about your Dad's passing. We pray that you find peace and are comforted by the many great memories of both your Mom and Dad. They are in heaven, together again, and maybe planning for a Pizza Kitchen business...hopefully on the south side again. We will miss both Luigi and Chensi but will never forget all the good times we had at the restaurant. I wish we could be up there for the funeral. God Bless,Doug, Bonnie Mogensen and Family Ps - I still haven't found a Luigi's down here in St Louis.
Gabe Sedloff
March 9, 2008
Our deepest regrets to the Ziccarelli family. Your parents were loved by all who knew them, and will be perpetuated in everyones memory. There story of coming to the USA is the story book realization of the American way. Be proud of the wonderful legacy they left us all.Gabe and Elaine Sedloff, Cape Coral, FL
JOHN AND MARIA DEROSE AND FAMILY
March 9, 2008
WE ARE VERY SORRY FOR THE LOSS OF YOUR FATHER OUR COUSIN. YOUR FATHER WAS MY COUSIN MY MAIDEN NAME IS MARIA SORRENTINO - WE LIVE IN HIGHLAND PARK, ILLINOIS. WE HAVE MANY WONDERFUL MEMORIES WITH YOUR FATHER HE WAS AN EXCEPTION MAN, COUSIN AND FAMILY MAN. YOUR FAMILY WILL BE IN OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ALWAYS.
Michael A. De Fazio
March 9, 2008
My deepest sympathy goes to your family. Trully Luigi did die from a broken heart. My prayers are with the whole family. Sincerely, Michael A. De Fazio
Michael J E Hamilton
March 9, 2008
Too many memories of the Summer of 1978. All the pizza orders. Medium cheese/sausage/mushroom with extra thick crust! No problem! Even after they stopped offering thick crust on the regular menu they kept doing it for my mother. Innocenza admired a necklace my mother always wore.I remember pulling up in my mom's big Coupe de Ville with her navigating that narrow pick-up area in the rear of the restaurant. I can still taste that pizza!! My mom sometimes preferred Villa D'Carlo's but to me you guys were/are number one in Kenosha!! Thanks Luigi for making a little boy's pizza wishes happy!!!!
J.Rosera-Wickersheim
March 9, 2008
My thoughts and prayers go out to the entire Ziccarelli family for the loss of Luigi, and the earlier loss of Chensi. They were my landlords for a time back in the late 70’s and they were very nice to us, allowing us to pick fresh vegetables from their bountiful garden when we were down on our luck. May the family find comfort in knowing that this dear wonderful couple is united once again in heaven.God Bless~
Krysten Merten-Ziccarelli and family
March 8, 2008
You will always be remembered. Prayers to all of the family and friends. God Bless you