Italo "Lo" Milani

Italo "Lo" Milani

July 6, 1930-February 6, 2022

ROCK ISLAND-Italo "Lo" Milani, 91, of Rock Island passed away February 6, 2022, at his home. Visitation will be from 10 to 2, Saturday, February 12th at Knox Chapel Wheelan-Pressly Funeral Home, 2106 7th Ave, Rock Island. Private burial will be at St. Mary's Cemetery, East Moline. Memorials may be made to QC Animal Welfare Center.

Lo was born July 6, 1930 in Viareggio, Italy. His family conducted business in the Chicago area since 1920 and made the final move to US in 1936 to escape fascism. He was a graduate of Marmion Military Academy, IL, and served as a pilot instructor in the US Air Force. Lo married Joann Hickey of Chicago in 1956 and graduated from the University of Illinois-Champagne with a degree in architecture in 1957. The couple relocated to Rock Island, and Lo started his own business in 1962. Lo had a passion for the arts and included: the Maka Art gallery, he volunteered for the QC Arts Council, and oversaw installations of sculptures in the area. His architectural designs can be found throughout the Quad Cities which include: Henry County Courthouse remodel, Sunset Heights, Fire Station 5, St. Pius and St. Patrick church of Andalusia. Starting in the late eighties, he worked as an environmental architect based in the Chicago area. During his lifetime, he was involved in the Cliff Dwellers of Chicago, Rotary of Rock Island, and the QC Italian Americans Society. He loved tennis his whole life and was avid skier enjoying trips to Wisconsin, Colorado, and Lake Tahoe.

Lo is survived by his wife Joann, four children: Dino (Ellen), Franco (Sherri), Carlo (Brenda) and Gina (Clay), and four grandchildren: Samantha, Ali, Bella, Mitch and a sister Loretta Seabrook. Preceded in death by son Marco. Memorial mass to be held at later date.