Ron Lenzi

Ron Lenzi of Chicago Illinois, owner and operator of the Erie Cafe Restaurant on Erie St. for more than 28 years has passed away peacefully surrounded by family on January 8, 2023. He was born in Chicago and grew up on the Lower West side in what is now called Little Italy. As a youngster he was a member of the boy scouts and earned the rank of Eagle Scout, a rank he was very proud of. He attended Harrison Technical High School where he participated in acapella and other mischievous activities. On December 21, 1961, Ron married Geraldine Michelotti, they were married for 62 years and had three children, Eugene being the oldest followed by Laurence and Ronnie Jr. He attended night school at DePaul University, passed his series 7 exam and became a stockbroker at Hornblower and Weeks. In the early 1970's he joined his father- in-law Gene Michelotti at Gene and Georgetti Restaurant. It was during this time he set the standard for Steakhouses in Chicago and catapulted Gene and Georgetti as a world -renowned restaurant. In 1994 he opened the Erie Cafe restaurant with his son Eugene Lenzi in River North, he enjoyed seeing River North blossom to where it is today, he is cited by many as being a pioneer of the neighborhood. His business acumen was old school, long hours and hands on. He believed advertising dollars were on the plate and that success and or failure of any business was due to the integrity of its management. His favorite store was the Salvation Army where he also participated on the advisory board. He enjoyed collecting and tinkering with Lionel Trains most of all he loved spending time with his grandchildren and great grandchildren. He was a friend of many and a longtime grateful friend of Bill W. Beloved husband of Geraldine Lenzi ; loving father of Eugene (Antoinette) Lenzi, Laurence Lenzi and Ronnie Lenzi, Jr.; proud grandfather of Gabriella (Timothy) Littleton, Luca Lenzi, Giovanna Lenzi, Paolo Lenzi; great grandfather of Edmund and Emma Littleton; dear brother of Diane (Charles) Brom and Yvette (John) Bilanko. Visitation Monday January 16, 2023 10:00 a.m. until time of Funeral Mass 11:00 a.m. Old St. Patrick's Church, 700 W Adams St, Chicago, IL 60661. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Salvation Army, 5040 N. Pulaski Ave. Chicago, Illinois 60630