Donald Petramale

Donald L Petramale, age 87, of Elgin, Illinois, beloved husband of Diane Petramale, nee Silvestri for 42 years, entered his eternal heavenly home on October 10, 2022.
Loving father of Debbie (Gary) Rose, Donna (Mike) Rigert, Nick (Leslie) Petramale, Dino (Lisa) Petramale; Michelle (Russ) Meeks, Debbie (Dan) Hochstatter, Terri (Andy) Deligio and Danny (Jennifer) Foyet; Adored grandfather of Jimmy (Nicole) Rose, Brandon (Erin) Rigert, Brooke (Rob) Sackett, Chad Rigert, Camrin (Megan) Petramale, Chloe Petramale, Joe Petramale, Mike Petramale, Carly Petramale, Kelly (Mark) Sliwinski, John Meeks, Christina (Edgar) Hopgood, Danny (Natalie) Hochstatter, Cody (Alyssa) Hochstatter, Aly Deligio, Linsey Deligio, Sammy Deligio, Taylor Foyet, Danny Foyet, Maddie Foyet; Cherished great grandfather of Caden Hopgood, Robbie Rose, Joe and Holly Rigert, Zoey Sackett, James and Teddie Petramale, Sienna Sliwinski, Avery, Will and Winnie Hochstatter.

Don was a proud Chicagoan and loved to talk about his beginnings on “Polk and Francisco”. He was a loyal friend, having kept his childhood buddies well into his later years. He enjoyed sharing his love of the old neighborhood with his children and grandchildren, often treating them to dinner at his favorite authentic Italian restaurant, Tufano’s. Most important to him in life was always family, and he was proud of the combined eight children he and Diane brought together in marriage. As recent as three months ago, he made sure to send flowers for his newest great-grandchild’s arrival, acknowledging how important every single addition was to him. Don was a go-getter and, in his earlier years, would sometimes be working up to three jobs at a time to support his young family. He got his start in the insurance business and in 1967, began his own business, D & D Office Machines, which is still being operated today by his two sons, Nick and Dino. He was also very successful in the real estate market, specifically in Sarasota, Florida, where he resided for 13 years. But, what really lit a fire in Don was his love for all things musical. He played both the accordion and the piano. He was in bands as a younger man and began a late-in-life career as a singer and was a very dynamic performer well into his 70’s. In between those periods, he and Diane loved their Karaoke, both
in Illinois and Florida, along with the dear friends they made along the way. He had so many interests, having played on softball leagues well into his 40’s, designed beautiful landscaping for each of his homes and loved traveling the world. He started out by taking his children on multiple road trips every year, and a favorite spot of his was Disney World. His palate eventually changed and he most enjoyed cruises and Italy, but had adventures as far reaching as Israel and Egypt. Don worked hard and played hard. But, above all, he adored and valued his family and they will miss the
love he so freely gave.