Francesco Altamore

FRANCESCO 'FRANK' ALTAMORE, 81 ROCKFORD - Francesco "Frank" Altamore was born on August 13, 1932, in Roccamena, Sicily. He grew up on a farm with his five siblings before marrying Ignazia Pace on June 27, 1957. They and their two children, Alberto and Antonia "Toni", followed family to the United States where they settled in Rockford, Illinois. Frank and his wife worked at General Electric for several years before opening their own restaurant, Altamore Ristorante, on 1432 N. Main St., in Rockford on August 19, 1976. Frank and Ignazia still spent much of their days at the restaurant until his 2008 diagnosis of Myelodysplastic Syndrome, a cancer of the blood. He survived a heart attack and a stroke in 2005, but his condition worsened over the years. After a long battle with cancer, Frank passed away in his home on December 3, 2013, at the age of 81, with his immediate family at his side. He loved hunting, the outdoors, and old cars. He was known as a hard worker all his life and family was very important to him. Even in his final years, he was beloved by all for his instant smile of welcome and warm hospitality at the restaurant towards customers and friends. He will be greatly missed by his family and all those who knew him. He will most especially be missed by his devoted wife of 56 years. He is survived by wife, Ignazia Pace Altamore; brothers, Joe Altamore, Agostino Altamore, Nick Altamore; sister, Nina Altamore Pace; also by his numerous nieces and nephews. Also survived by his children, Antonia "Toni" Jones and son-in-law, Jeff Jones, and Alberto Altamore and daughter-in-law, Annamaria Filippi Altamore; and grandchildren, Francesco Altamore, Zizi Altamore, Marco Altamore, Piero Collura, Francesco Collura, and Gina Collura. He is predeceased by his sister, Maria Altamore Lena, and his parents, Alberto and Antonia Provenzano Altamore. Funeral mass will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, December 7, 2013, in St. Anthony Church, with Franciscan Friars officiating. Entombment will follow in Calvary Mausoleum. Visitation will be in Gasparini & Oliveri Funeral Home on Friday, December 6, 2013, from 5 to 7 p.m. Friends may call again Saturday morning at the church from 10 a.m. until service time. Arrangements are with Gasparini & Oliveri Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 707 Marchesano Dr. Condolences to: www.gasparinioliverifuneral.net.