John Joseph Dalicandro

John Joseph Dalicandro passed away at the age of 82 during the early morning hours of January 19, 2026, in LaGrange, IL.

Born on August 21, 1943, in Chicago, IL, he was the beloved son of James Vincent "Ace" and Jennie Marzullo Dalicandro. He grew up in Elmwood Park and graduated from St. Patrick's High School in 1961. Following his graduation from Christian Brothers University in Memphis, TN in 1965, John returned to Chicago where he taught at St. Joseph's in Addison. From there he went to St. Giles in Oak Park, where he spent ten years teaching math and science while coaching basketball and eventually serving as Assistant Principal. Subsequently, John worked in advertising and various roles in the printing industry until his retirement in 2008.

John married the love of his life, Kathleen Ann "Kathy" Lawless, on July 6, 1968. Together they built a beautiful life filled with family, faith and countless cherished memories. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and friend who could always be counted on for a story, a laugh or a helping hand.

Those he leaves to cherish his memory include his wife of fifty-seven and a half years, Kathleen Lawless Dalicandro; his two sons Steven John Dalicandro and his wife, Emily of Houston, TX, and Thomas Michael Dalicandro and his wife Rosa of Hinsdale, three grandchildren Jessica Kathleen Dalicandro of Hinsdale, Joseph Steven Dalicandro and Samuel John Dalicandro of Houston, TX; his brother Lawrence and wife Betty of Des Peres, MO; his sister-in-law Jacqueline "Jackie" Lawless of LaGrange; brother-in-law John Toal and wife Margaret of Ventura, CA; nephew James Toal and his wife Sharon of LaQuinta CA; nieces Helene Toal and her husband Terry Mathews of Wonder Lake, IL; Laurie Giltner and her husband Markus of Wentzville, MO and Jennifer Dalicandro of O'Fallon, MO and a host of extended family and friends.

John was preceded in death by his parents, James Vincent "Ace" and Jennie Marzullo Dalicandro and his sister Victoria Ann "Vicky" Dalicandro.

Family and friends are invited to gather on Monday, January 26, from 3:00 in the afternoon to 8:30 in the evening at Hallowell & James Funeral Home at 1025 West 55th Street in Countryside. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Tuesday, January 27 at ten o'clock in the morning at St. Cletus Parish located at 600 West 55th Street in LaGrange. Family and friends are invited to first meet at the funeral home at nine o'clock to pay final respects and process to Mass together. Following Mass, a public interment service will be held at Queen of Heaven Cemetery in Hillside. A reception will follow in Western Springs.

The family would like to thank the doctors and staff of the Lurie Cancer Center at Northwestern Memorial Hospital who oversaw John's care from his initial multiple myeloma diagnosis, especially Dr. Seema Singhal.

John will be remembered for his deep and abiding Catholic faith, his unwavering loyalty, his passion for the Chicago Cubs and the way he made everyone feel like family. He leaves behind a legacy of love that will live on in the hearts of all who knew him.