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Mauro DeFalco

Visitation Date: Friday, February 5, 2021
Visitation Time: 4:00-8:00 p.m.
Funeral Date: Friday, February 5th, 2021
Funeral Time: 8:00 pm
Place of Funeral: Chapel Service at Salerno's Rosedale Chapels
Funeral Notes: During visiting hours, it is still recommended to follow the current State of Illinois Guidelines, and guests should continue to wear masks and practice social distancing.
Interment: Burial Private

Mauro, or “Butch,” as he was known to family and close friends, age 78, passed peacefully from this life on January 31, 2021.
Mauro was born on January 19, 1943 to Catherine (nee Carrier) and Mario DeFalco. He grew up on the west side of Chicago with his beloved older sister (and first partner-in-crime), Anna, along with a large extended family of uncles, aunts, and many cousins. “Butch” attended St. Phillip High School on the west side of Chicago, lettering in multiple sports. A born storyteller and comedian, he embraced life with an offbeat, sometimes irreverent sense of humor and a genuine warmth toward others. His gift of gab and uncanny ability to make people feel at ease was legendary among his large extended family, friends, and colleagues. He never allowed life’s difficulties to make him bitter or resentful. He always loved telling stories about his childhood and teen years growing up in the city. He would say that his father “Moe” taught him how to count by having him hold the dice and cash during the occasional “game of chance” in the Flournoy Street Neighborhood where they lived. He and his friends would sneak out of Sunday Mass to go listen to the music pouring from the Gospel churches in the neighborhood. This contributed to a lifelong love of R&B music. Of course, there was plenty of other music in his life as well whether it was the Italian opera he would play on Sundays while making his famous “gravy,” or pop music of the 60s through the 80s.
In his thirties, he decided that he wanted to pursue a new career in law. He did this while working full-time during the day as an insurance adjuster and attending college and law school at night. Mauro graduated from Northern Illinois University Law School and went on to pass the Illinois Bar Exam. He practiced law in DuPage County for more than twenty years as a general practitioner. He was a natural in the profession, combining his talent for negotiation with a desire to help. He loved the comradery found in the practice of law and could often be found sharing coffee with opposing counsel in the cafeteria at the courthouse. His love of the law was passed along to his youngest daughter, Marcy, who followed in his footsteps and pursued a career in the legal profession.
He was a patient, generous, and kind father. He would take his kids (one at a time) to baseball games at Wrigley Field, or hockey games at the old Chicago Stadium just so they would each feel special. He played an active role in their lives, from coaching his son Dan’s hockey team, baseball team, or attending every school function, albeit sporting events, choir concerts or plays. Mauro was always there to support his kids and they loved him for it. He was a pioneer in building “home ice rinks,” freezing over the driveway at the family home in Villa Park for a small skating rink, or helping his kids build a luge run for sleds in the backyard. He also created one of the first home-theaters by tacking a sheet to the wall in the family room and showing Super 8, silent, Charlie Chaplin and Laurel & Hardy movies. He loved the original Star Trek and often employed Vulcan like logic with his kids.
He loved comedy records from Richard Pryor and Cheech and Chong, and comedy T.V. shows and movies from the Marx Brothers to Mel Brooks, and Monty Python. He had a loud booming laugh that could either fill a room (or clear a room). A trait which was passed along to his eldest daughter, Amy. He also was a voracious reader of spy thrillers and detective stories and enjoyed spy thriller movies as well. Many of these interests were passed along to his children.
Mauro married Geraldine Zelek in February 1965 in Chicago. They bought a house in Villa Park and together raised their three children before going their separate ways after 25 years of marriage.
Mauro later married Sandy, his second partner-in-crime and comic equal. They enjoyed a wonderful, but short, life of laughter together near family in the western suburbs, often traveling to places they always wanted to see. Mauro lovingly cared for Sandy at home until she succumbed to ALS in July 1998.
He loved to dance at family parties and often employed a special dance step, well-known to family, but was only truly understood by his sister, Anna. Mauro had a life-long love of golf and enjoyed playing with family, friends or even complete strangers. He loved his five grandchildren, who were the light of his life, and he enjoyed playing cards and board games with them as he grew older. He never lost his sense of humor, wonderful spirit or the twinkle in his eye.
Mauro is survived by his three children, Amy DeFalco (Eric Gustafson), Daniel (Christine) DeFalco and Marcy (Doug) Strohm, and his beloved grandchildren Angela, Nicole, Daniel, Elise and Eddie. A special place in heart belonged to his nieces, Antionette and Cathleen and nephew, Joe and their families. He is also survived by many cousins, extended family and friends, whom he loved.
Visitation and prayers will be on Friday, February 5, 2021 from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Salerno Rosedale Chapel, 450 W. Lake Street, Roselle. In lieu of flowers, donations to Northern Illinois Food Bank would be appreciated.

Funeral Home

Salerno's Rosedale Chapels

Phone: (630) 889-1700
Address: 450 W. Lake Street Roselle IL, 60172

Church Details

Chapel Service at Salerno's Rosedale Chapels

Phone: (630) 889-1700
Address: 450 W. Lake St. Roselle Illinois, 60172
Service Date: February 5th 2021
Funeral Time: 8:00 pm

Interment Details

Burial Private

Guestbook


Posted by:
Edward Levato

Posted on:
Friday, February 5, 2021

Mauro, rest in peace, my friend. We started with sharing office space in Bloomingdale's Old Town, and continued friendship ever since through law, golf trips, shared friends, and love or our community. We'll re-unite some day, but I'll take my time getting there. God bless, until we meet again.

Posted by:
Matt Caruso

Posted on:
Friday, February 5, 2021

I do not remember the case when I met Mauro as an attorney; I just remember that for years afterward, when I saw him in the courthouse, we would always say hello or stop and chat as if we were friends. We could have been opposing attorneys; I don't know, but I am further proof of how everyone who met Mauro ended up loving the guy. He made the world a better place by being a nice guy who respected others. Lucky for me, he laughed at my jokes. I offer my condolences to the DeFalco Family (hello Marcy) for your loss of a great man. May he rest in a well-deserved peace. Best wishes, Matt Caruso

Posted by:
Joan Posch

Posted on:
Thursday, February 4, 2021

As a friend of Mauro's daughter, Marcy, I am saddened by your loss. She has told me many funny stories about her dad and I know he will be greatly missed. It is delightful to read about all of his amazing adventures, but that family was first and foremost. May you all hold wonderful memories in your hearts and share them often at family gatherings. My condolences to each of you.

Posted by:
Chris Oram

Posted on:
Thursday, February 4, 2021

I am so sorry for your loss.

Posted by:
Anonymous

Posted on:
Thursday, February 4, 2021

So sorry to hear of Mauro's passing. He was a fun guy and always provided a laugh when we were in law school.

Posted by:
Patrick Leston

Posted on:
Thursday, February 4, 2021

Mauro was always a great guy to share stories with over a cup of coffee in the ARC. He was fine attorney and will be missed his many friends in the DCBA.