Joseph Angileri

Joe was born Sept. 12, 1935 in Digerbato, Marsala, Sicily to the late Vito and Maria (Mannira) Angileri. He lived a long and eventful life. In 1950 Joe traveled by boat from Sicily to New York. From there he made his way to Rockford, IL working at a furniture factory until he was old enough to work at Sundstrand, where he was an Aviation Inspector for 41 years. Joe was a member of the UAW local 592 and a member of the Fire Brigade. Joe married Dorothy Castree in April of 1956 and they later divorced. They had six children together, Mary Caiozzo, Frances Clucas, Victor (Lisa) Angileri, Kathy Angileri, Vanessa (Chris) Harrison and Sam Angileri.

Joe married Sharon Lantz in 1990 at Lake Summerset, IL. From there the couple called many different places home including: Roscoe, IL, Moses Lake, WA, Hallandale, FL and made their final home in Norfolk, VA.

Always keeping home base in Rockford the couple would enjoy the Florida sunshine in the winter and come home in the summer. Joe, “The Fisherman,” loved fishing in the ocean and talking to the locals and vacationers alike, sharing his fishing secrets and stories. Joe did not care who you were, if you wanted to talk, Joe was your guy.

Joe loved his grandchildren dearly, Dorothy (Jason) Arwood, Maggie (Anthony) Mischler, Hailey and Madeline Harrison, and Annavieve Angileri, step grandchildren, Melany and Dylan Lantz and great-grandchildren Lilian Coffie and Pierce Arwood, teaching them how to fish and telling them all of his stories were highlights in his life. He is also survived by step-children, Bradley (Lei) Lantz and Bryan Lantz, and brother, Tony Angileri.

Joe had a passion for hunting and creating Sugo with whatever mystery meat was available from his hunts. He was a member of the Kepatah Sportsman’s Club. He enjoyed garage sales. He was always buying and selling, selling and buying. Joe also loved his trips back to his homeland in Sicily to reconnect with cousins. Joe loved figs from the fig trees he was always growing. He was faithful in attending church regularly on Sunday's.

Joe was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Josephine (Gino) Rosolia and JoAnn Bertolino; sister-in-law Sharon Angileri; son-in-law, Jim Clucas and beloved grandson, James Clucas.

A service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Sat. Nov 18, 2023 at Our Savior's Lutheran Church, 3301 Corbridge Ln, Rockford, IL 61107. Memorial gifts may be sent to Rockford Area Habitat for Humanity, 5183 Harlem Rd #3, Loves Park IL 61111.