Michael Navilio

Michael Joseph Navilio, age 94, passed away peacefully at his home in Boca Raton, Florida on Friday, October 28th surrounded by his children. In pursuit of his final life's goal to to live to 100 years of age, he bravely battled health issues in his later years until finally succumbing to a stroke. He started his career when he was in the sixth grade by peddling a fruit cart on the streets of Chicago. Despite having to cut short his education to help support his family, Mike went on to having his wholesale produce company become one of the largest suppliers of produce in the Chicagoland area. He started at the old South Water Market and then moved to the International Produce Market until he finally retired from that business at the ripe young age of 91. An avid businessman he was passionate about his endeavors in both the stock market and real estate investments, remaining actively involved in those until his death. Mike loved his work and had a tremendous love of life. He was a man's man with many close friends who shared a good cigar over a card game and great conversations on the golf cart waiting to tee up. One of his great passions was for horses. He learned to ride while in the military during WW II where he served as a sergeant and then later in life he transferred that passion in his role as a race horse owner. One of his horses, Flag Officer, ran in the Kentucky Derby the year Seattle Slew won the triple crown.  A devoted family man to his own children and his stepchildren through his second marriage. He was affectionately known as Pa Pa Mike to all. Mike was not only lucky in business, he was fortunate to have the love of his life, Patricia Seery Navilio, to share all these experiences for forty years until her passing in April of this year. He traveled all over the world with his wife,family and friends with a special place in his heart for Las Vegas. Survived by his three sons Daniel, James and Francis, his daughter Patricia, his two step daughters, Robyn Anderson and Wendy Segall, his son-in-laws, Michael Lavender, Christian Anderson and Stuart Segall, and his ten grandchildren starting with the eldest Michael then Cory, Morgan, Charles, George, Monica, Madeline, Grant, Chase and Dylan, and great grandchild Leo. His son Michael and his stepdaughter Kimberly were lost to him at an early age.Visitation Wednesday, November 2, 2016, 1:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Donnellan Family Funeral Home, 10045 Skokie Blvd., Skokie, IL 60077. Funeral Mass Thursday November 3, 2016, 10:00 a.m. at St. Joseph Church, 1747 Lake Ave., Wilmette, IL 60077. In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to Saint Jude's Hospital or Disabled American Veterans Association-www.dav.org.