Richard M. Carbonara

Richard M. Carbonara, age 69 of Schaumburg, passed away peacefully with his family by his side on August 1, 2026.

He was born in Chicago in 1957 to Pasquale and Joann Carbonara, and attended St. Ignatius (Class of 1971) in the Rogers Park neighborhood, where he met his lifelong friends. He attended Loyola Academy (Class of 1975) before enrolling at Loyola University Chicago, where he was a proud member of the Tau Kappa Epsilon (TKE) fraternity. He earned his bachelor’s degree in psychology and criminology (Class of 1979) and his juris doctorate (Class of 1984).

Over a distinguished career spanning more than four decades, Rick left a lasting mark on the legal community as a deeply respected litigator specializing in corporate, business, and civil law.

He dedicated his early career to public service, advocating for the City of Chicago and the State of Illinois within the Office of the Illinois Attorney General—first as an investigator and later as an Assistant Illinois Attorney General himself.

When Rick entered private practice, he advocated for clients in plaintiff-oriented work before becoming a partner at the international law firm of Altheimer & Gray until 2003. Following successful stints at several small commercial law firms in Chicago, Rick embarked on his solo practice in 2010, continuing to serve his clients with the independence, integrity, and personal dedication that defined his lifelong devotion to the law.

Rick was preceded in death by Pasquale Carbonara, Joann Carbonara, Sonny Tortorello, Josephine Tortorello, and Reese Wiggins.

He is survived by his partner of 54 years and wife of 47 years, Peggy; his children, Tim, Christine, Katie (Mark) Wiggins, and Rebecca (Anthony) Marra; his beloved grandchildren, Charlotte, Trey, and Mateo Wiggins, sisters Therese (Chuck) Nordstrom and Patti Carbonara (Earl Thompson), and many nieces and nephews.

He was a diehard Chicago White Sox fan, lover of a good martini, and avid golfer. He loved his grandchildren more than anything in the world and was anxiously awaiting the arrival of his next two grandbabies.