Enzo Berti

The son of Giuseppe and Maria Berti, Enzo was born on May 22, 1934 outside of Lucca, Italy in a small town named San Salvatore. Enzo, his father and sister, Diva, immigrated to the United States, one year following the end of World War II. He arrived on Ellis Island, frightened, shoeless, and speaking not one word of English. The family settled on the near west side of Chicago. Enzo attended Precious Blood Grammer School. He began his study of the English language at the age of 12 surrounded by first graders. He was embarrassed, but undaunted. He did so well, in fact, he received the highest honor as a graduating eighth grader, the Citizenship Award. His love of language and stories were an intrinsic piece of who he was and his love of the pursuit as such, continued throughout his life. He graduated from Morton High School in 1953. Enzo earned his bachelor's degree in Spanish and Education at Illinois State University in Normal, Illinois. He earned his masters degree in Spanish at Loyola University. Enzo also studied abroad at the University of Guadalajara in Mexico. He taught all levels of Spanish at Elmwood Park High School from 1957, until he retired in 1992. Enzo also taught part-time at Triton College and Illinois Benedictine University. He married the love of his life, Lydia Giovacchini at Our Lady of the Angels in Chicago in 1957 and they had three wonderful daughters; Laura Meyer (Karl), Paula Schaub (Randy) and Lisa Kopnick (Mitchell). He was fiercly dedicated to his family and dearly loved his grandchildren; Nina Esch (Stephanie Harbaugh), David Meyer, Brittany Schaub, Jennifer Schaub-Coffman (Spencer Coffman), Max, Jacob and Benjamin Kopnick. Enzo was a passionate gardner, woodworker and Italian "foodie." He enjoyed boating, golfing, tennis and raquetball (all well into his 80's!). He was generous, funny, kind and molto gentile. To know Enzo was to have been touched by an Angel. Husband, father, friend, educator, mentor, linguist, Toscano, charmer, humorist and storyteller. Memorial visitation Friday, July 25 from 9:30 am to 10:30 am in Mary's Space at Mary Queen of Heaven Church 442 N. West Ave. Elmhurst, IL Memorial Mass 10:30 am In lieu of flowers donations to The Alzheimer's Association appreciated. https://www.alz.org