Michael "Mike" Cozzo

Michael L. "Mike" Cozzo, 80, of Manteno, passed away March 23, 2024.

He was born Dec. 28, 1943, in Chicago, the son of Leonard and Antoinette (Cotugno) Cozzo. Mike married his teenage sweetheart, Shirley Kinder, on Aug. 27, 1966, in Chicago.

Mike was a civil engineer for over 25 years, serving the communities of Burr Ridge, Homewood and Oak Forest. He graduated from the University of Illinois in 1967.

He is best known for his love of family, which not only included his relatives, but also the many friends he welcomed into his world. One of his favorite hobbies was attending all the grandchildren's activities, which kept him quite busy. Second only to his wife and family was his love of baseball and his unwavering allegiance to the Chicago White Sox. His generosity and appreciation for community was demonstrated as an active parishioner of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Manteno.

Surviving are his wife of 57 years, a relationship that started when they were 16 years old, Shirley Cozzo, of Manteno; one son, Daniel (Debra) Cozzo, of Bloomingdale; two daughters, Paula (Ronald) Paymaster, of Manhattan, and Maria (Brian) Hovanes, of Manteno; one brother, Daniel (Paula) Cozzo, of Downers Grove; seven grandchildren, Zachary (Maddalynne) Paymaster, Jacob Paymaster, Emily Hovanes, Abby Hovanes, Christopher Cozzo, Benjamin Cozzo and Vincent Cozzo; and many nieces and nephews.

Preceding him in death were his parents; and two sisters, Antoinette Caccese and Mary Urban.

Visitation will be from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Monday, April 1, at Clancy-Gernon Funeral Home in Manteno. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Tuesday, April 2, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Manteno. Interment will follow in St. Joseph Cemetery, Manteno.

Memorials may be made to Fortitude Community Outreach Capital Campaign, 1180 N. Convent St., Bourbonnais, IL 60914, in care of Dawn Broers.

Please sign his online guestbook at clancygernon.com.