Vito De Benedictis, Jr.

Vito Debenedictis Jr., 55, born on November 10, 1970, in Chicago, raised in Franklin Park, and resided with his family in Schaumburg, Illinois. Passed away peacefully surrounded by the love of his family after a courageous battle with cancer.

Vito was a man who lived life with a strong spirit and a personality that was unmistakably his own. To some of his longtime friends, he was affectionately known as “Birdie.”

Vito was honest, strong-willed, stubborn, loving, and deeply devoted to the people he cared about. He was never afraid to speak his mind and always stood firmly by what he believed. Beneath that strong exterior was a man with a tremendous heart that loved deeply.

Vito had many passions throughout his life. He loved to cook and found joy in bringing people together around good food. Music was another important part of who he was. He had a true passion for DJing, and it was through that passion that his own love story began.

Vito and his wife, Antonia, first met at a family party where Vito was the DJ. What began that day became a 31-year love story, marriage, and life together. Vito loved his wife deeply, and their bond remained at the center of his life. Together they built a family, shared countless memories, and weathered life’s greatest joys and most difficult challenges side by side.

He was also a proud father to his two sons, Nicholas, 25, and Stephano, 21. Vito was a demanding father and was often hard on his boys because he wanted them to become strong, responsible, and good men. Although they may not have always understood his ways at the time, his love for them was always there. Today, Nicholas and Stephano have grown into wonderful young men, something Vito would be incredibly proud of.

Vito also loved the simple pleasures of life. He enjoyed taking long drives in his beloved 2009 Z51 Corvette convertible, enjoying the road, the car, and the freedom that came with being behind the wheel.

He will be deeply missed by his wife of 31 years, Antonia; his sons, Nicholas and Stephano; his mother, Lucia; and his siblings, Victor, Joe, and Rosa, along with extended family and countless friends whose lives he touched.

Vito leaves behind more than memories. He leaves behind the love he gave, the lessons he taught, the laughter he shared, the meals he cooked, the music he played, and the family he built.

His life was not defined by the cancer he battled, but by the love he gave throughout his life. He was a husband, a father, a son, a brother, and a friend. To those who knew and loved him, he was simply Vito.

He will forever remain in the hearts.