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BORN
1947
DIED
2021
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Jerome Tomaselli Obituary
Born: January 18, 1947
Died: January 29, 2021
Award winning photojournalist, Jerry "Toma" Tomaselli, passed away peacefully at home on January 29, 2021 after a long battle with Alzheimer's.
Jerry was born in Chicago on January 18, 1947 to Frank and Louise (Mazzuca) Tomaselli. He began his newspaper career as a copy boy at the Chicago's American back in 1963. From there he picked up a camera and never looked back. Jerry was born with a gifted eye for photography. Jerry served in the United States Air Force as an MP during the Vietnam War, never telling his mother that he was sent overseas. While stationed at Hawaii's Hickam Air Force Base, he met the love of his life Judi Hawkins and they were married in 1969 and moved back to Chicago.
Jerry was an award-winning photographer for the Chicago American, Chicago Sun-Times, and Chicago Tribune in a career that spanned more than a half a century. Jerry was the president of the Chicago Press Photographers Association, won Chicago Press Photographer of the Year, Illinois Press Photographer of the Year, and was runner-up for National Press Photographer of the Year. Jerry was also awarded numerous other awards from the Associated Press and United Press International. And, in 1978, Jerry was nominated for the Pulitzer Prize for News Photography.
Jerry had a zest for life and tried to include as many people in the festivities as possible. Many can remember the late-night billiard games downstairs and the family events in their house that anyone and everyone was welcome. Jerry never forgot his military brethren, often hosting sailors and soldiers around Thanksgiving. Jerry was very active in St. John the Baptist church and the Knights of Columbus even as past Grand Knight. Jerry was also an avid fisherman and golfer. After retiring from the Tribune, Jerry and Judi set out on a new adventure, RVing to Texas and back, where Jerry made many new friends while planning parties and outings for other RV'ers. "Tomafest" was an annual get together for all the family and friends that Jerry had made throughout his life. Through it all, Jerry was a great husband, father, and friend and you could often hear the ratpack music, exclaiming to all, that Jerry did it "My Way".
Jerry was preceded in death by his parents Frank J. Tomaselli and Louise (Mazzuca) Tomaselli.
Jerry is survived by his wife and best friend, Judith (Hawkins) of 51 years, their three daughters Jennifer (late Mathew Blake), Michele (Brian Grasser), Suzanne (Mathew Riley). Jerry is also survived by his two sisters, Judy Federighi and Jackey Ludwig.
Jerry was a proud "Papa" to grandkids Magdalena, Phoenix, Victoria, Isabella, Payton, Alexandra, Gabriele, Hunter, Jackson, Liam.
Due to Covid, funeral services will be private at St. John the Baptist Church in Johnsburg, Illinois with a celebration of life to be determined at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, call someone who is a caregiver to a loved one with Alzheimer's; visit someone who has Alzheimer's and let them know you still care. They may or may not remember you, but their caregiver and family will remember, and what a wonderful meaningful gift that would be!
Arrangements have been entrusted to the Justen Funeral Home & Crematory in McHenry, IL. For information, please call the funeral home at 815-385-2400 or visit www.justenfh.com, where friends and loved ones may share memories of Jerry on his tribute wall. Please share any pictures or stories of Jerry at the following email address: [email protected]
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To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Jerome Tomaselli
Sponsored by Justen Funeral Home & Crematory - McHenry.
Bill Bolton
February 1, 2026
You were always fun to have around. RIP buddy
Dawn D Tatro (Dudick)
February 4, 2024
Jerry was a AF buddy of my father. I have pictures of him and his wife holding me and my dog as a toddler. Jerry also did a quicky Valentine's Day "puff" piece with pictures of me and my dog covered in Hershey's syrup in a closet at my Grandparent's home in Evanston with a big heart shape box of chocolates on my lap with the title "Dear Daddy, don't spank". For the article they changed my dog's name from Puddles to Cuddles just because it needed to be done. I still have original copies of the pictures and tiny story. Because I was so young, I just have the great stories that my family has told me over the years about what a great guy he was and what a good friend he was to the family. My pictures are all in storage, but I will dig them up and add them here for all to see his sense of humor and creating moments to remember.
Frank J Bartucci
June 4, 2023
To Judy, and family, i just found out that Jerry passed. Jerry and I were second cousins. Are grand mothers were sisters. We were born 10 days apart in the same 2 story apartment building. Lost contact with Jerry and Judy many years ago. My name is Frank Bartucci, I'll never forget Jerry's dad impersonation of Jimmy Durante. My deepest sympathy and condolences to your family.
Dawn Tatro (Dudick)
February 27, 2021
I still have the original print from Valentine´s Day pictures of me and my dog "cuddles" (real name Puddles, but didn´t quite go with the theme) with Hershey´s Chocolate Syrup smeared all over our faces and a huge heart shaped box of chocolates in my lap. The short title was: Dear Daddy, Don´t Spank. It was 2 pictures and two lines of print under them. I am no longer a toddler (53) but those two pictures and the stories my grandparents (RIP Bud & Mary Dudick) and my parents (Bill Dudick & LaVette Columbo) told me over the years about how fun it was to stage a cute, innocent holiday short & sweet story. I have my albums buried in stacks of bins of pictures. If/when I find them, I will post them.
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Donald & Nancy Blake
February 13, 2021
To Judy, Daughters and Families,
Our sympathy to all the Families on the passing of your Loved One He was a great person and will be missed .Our prayers and thoughts are with the Families at he time.
Joseph Annunzio
February 10, 2021
Growing up, I can recall my mom, Jerry´s aunt Pat, proudly showing me my `uncle´ Jerry´s byline in the newspaper under his many famous photographs. Later, I became a veteran of many fun Tomafest outings which created many great memories for me as my cousin Jerry did for so many people including the countless many he reached through his photojournalism.
Dom and Candace Najolia
February 9, 2021
Judy and family, We are so sorry to hear about Jerry´s passing. He will always be remembered as one of Chicago´s best "News Photographers." He was the "Professor" at the scene of any news event. And his many awards attest to that. One bit of advice he gave me was, "When you´re offered an assignment, never turn it down. NEVER. If you´re not sure you can handle it, Always Say `YES´ and then figure out how you´re going to deal with it later." This was Jerry´s `Work Ethic´ and his `Mantra´ which I lived by, during my years at the Sun-Times. Jerry´s memory will always have a place in Chicago´s Photo Journalism history. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
The Kloeckners
February 8, 2021
So sorry for your loss
Bob, Onelia Mixa and Family
February 8, 2021
Our most sincere Sympathy, so very sad. We have so many good memories of him. Our Prayers for him and all of you, PEACE, Onelia
Missy Robel
February 4, 2021
Rest in peace dear hero , never forgotten
Dan Serritella
February 4, 2021
A sad good-bye to my old friend from the Chicago American days and parties.
D T
February 4, 2021
I am sorry to hear of your loss. Please accept my condolences. May the love of God, friends and family comfort you through your grief. 2nd Thessalonians 2: 16,17
Bill Bolton
February 4, 2021
My sincere sympathy to Judy and your daughters. Jerry was a great guy. Two stories come to mind when we sitting in my yard and black smoke was coming from the expressway. We immediately sped to and oil truck fire on the expressway. I stood way back with his camera bag while he snapped photos right next to the fireman.
Years later I noticed his name on a photo taken of my daughter at a tea party in Algonquin. I called Jerry and he sent me some color pictures he took
I loved him, great guy he´ll be missed.
Jack & Jeri Laurie
February 3, 2021
Judy, our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. We have fond memories of Jerry, especially of him playing Santa Claus on Christmas Eve. He brought so much joy to our family!
Peace to you and your loved ones
Millie & Phil Heinz
February 3, 2021
Our deepest sympathy to you and your family. We remember so many good times with Jerry. Tomafest being one of them. You are all in our thoughts snd prayers. May he Rest In Peace.
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