Michael J Angileri Sr.

Michael J. Angileri, Sr., 95, of Rockford, IL. passed away in the early morning hours of Saturday, October 21, 2023. He passed away peacefully in his home.
Michael, known to many as Mickey, was born October 1, 1928, to Martha and Cosmo Angileri in Rockford, at their home on West Street. His sister Armida was born 7 years later. Mickey and Armida remained close through out their upbringing and into adulthood.
After attending St. Thomas High School, Mickey joined the Marines in 1946 where he specialized in airplane maintenance and had a great love of planes. After his time in the military, he went to college at Northern Illinois University and earned a bachelor's degree in education. He returned to Rockford to start his 30+ year teaching career at Durand Farm School for boys, Washington, Roosevelt, Jefferson Junior High, and then retired from Jefferson High School in 1987. During that time, he finished his master's degree at the University of Illinois in Champaign, IL. He mentored many students in the community along with coaching several sports that included swimming, football, wrestling, cross country, and track and field. He retired after 35 years of teaching to spend more time at home with his wife Phyllis, his children, grandchildren, and now great grandchildren.
Mickey had such pride in the Rockford community, the place where he called home his entire life. He met the love of his life Phyllis Leombruni at the "Texas Rose" in the neighborhood they grew up in. They were married on August 25, 1951, she was "the only girl for him" to the very day he passed.
He was proud of his Italian heritage and one of his most cherished experiences was traveling to Italy to explore and visit with family. Mickey was a dedicated member of St. Anthony's Catholic Church in which he attended weekly services. He was also a long-standing member of St. Ambrogio Society where he loved to play bocce ball.
Mickey and Phyllis lovingly had four children, seven grandchildren, and three great grandchildren. Michael (Tina) Angileri, Thomas Angileri, John Angileri, and Paula (Jeff) Piper, all of Rockford. He loved being a grandpa to Joe (Andrea) Angileri, Michelle Angileri (Jim Appino), Phillip Angileri, Danielle Angileri (Garrett Erickson), Nick Angileri, Ben Piper, and Carrie Piper. He proudly became a great grandpa finally in 2021 to Abby Appino, Jordyn Angileri, and Aria Angileri. If you knew Mickey, you knew he was the true definition of a family man. Nothing made him happier than to have his family together for a Sunday sugo dinner.
Mickey was predeceased by: parents Cosmo and Martha, sister Armida Giovingo, wife Phyllis, sons infant Thomas and John, and grandson infant Phillip.
Mickey never met a person he didn't want to help. He cared tremendously about people and was always there for them no matter the circumstance. He loved to watch sports and clouds, feed his many grand animals, dream big, fly and travel, go fishing, take long walks on the bike path, sing Frank Sinatra, and scratch lottery tickets, the man truly had luck like no other. Mickey endured a lot of ups and downs in his long lifetime but was always steadfast for his family, never gave up, and cherished life until the very end.
There are many aunts, uncles, cousins, family, and friends past and present that Mickey loved sharing photos and memories of, telling stories about, and spending time with while the opportunity was there.
The family would like to thank the We Care Staff: Jandi, Rose, Chris, Holly and Dana for assisting in caring for Dad in his last couple years at home. They would also like to thank OSF hospice for their excellent care.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, October 30, 2023 at Saint Anthony Catholic Church, 1010 Ferguson Street, Rockford, IL. Visitation from 9:30 to 10:45 am prior to Mass. Followed by burial in Calvary Catholic Cemetery. To share a memory or condolence, please visit olsonfh.com