Olson Burke-Sullivan Funeral And Cremation Center

Obituary Detail

June 07, 1933 November 03, 2019
June 07, 1933 -- November 03, 2019

John V. Affatati Jr., Age:86

JOHN V. AFFATATI  JR.

 

John Vincent Affatati, Jr., 86, was born in Chicago to John and Anne Affatati on June 7, 1933, and passed away peacefully in his home on November 3, 2019. 

Beloved husband for 66 years to Mary, caring father to John (Brenda, deceased), Phyllis (Jim), Vicki (Mark), Irene (Joe), and Vincent (Michelle), 17 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren, loving brother of Ralph (Betty), Carl (Marie), Jim (Kathy), sister-in-law Irene (Donald), and many nieces and nephews.  He is preceded in death by his brother, Tom, and sister-in-laws, Rose and Ann.

Two weeks after John and Mary were wed, he was drafted into the Army. He was deployed to Fort Riley where he told the military that he was a cook.  He spent his military service happily cooking—good preparation for his large family and many church dinners to come.

John LOVED to cook. He spent hours preparing meals in his basement kitchen and was often heard calling: “Hot stuff coming up!” as he delivered heaping bowls of wonderful Italian food to his grateful family.  He was proud of his hand-built backyard pizza oven and made delicious pizzas for family, friends and neighbors.

A turning point in John’s adult life was going to the Gabriel Richard Institute where he learned public speaking. His favorite phrase was: “I’m happy, healthy, and enthusiastic!” And he was!

A machinist by trade, he opened his own business (J&J Turning) and later worked at Littelfuse until he retired at 65.  In preparation for retirement, he studied HVAC and kept busy installing and repairing heaters and air conditioners for friends and family.       

He was also very involved with his church community.  An active member of the St. Isaac Jogues Men’s Club, he cooked many dinners for their special events was one of the original participants of the St. Joseph table, the yearly Spaghetti Dinner, and prepared thousands of pepper and egg sandwiches during Lent.  He also ran a popular bingo kitchen. John enjoyed singing in the church choir.

Family and friends were very important to him, and he generously helped in any way he could.  John was always willing to drive people where they needed to go, even if it was across the country! 

He loved to entertain at family gatherings or anywhere he could find an audience. His specialty was singing “Ave Maria” at family weddings.

He always ended grace for family meals with, “Thank you God for this wonderful family and thank you God for this beautiful life!”

May he rest in peace.

Visitation will be held at St. Isaac Jogues Catholic Church, 8149 W. Golf Road, Niles IL, on Saturday, November 9, 2019, at 9:00 am, followed by a Memorial Mass at 10:00 am. 

In lieu of flowers, donations to St. Isaac Jogues Catholic Church Renovation Fund in Memory of John V. Affatati are appreciated.  There will be a military Honor Guard ceremony for John immediately after Mass.