Stephen Bolatto Jr.

1934 - 2023

Stephen Bolatto, Jr.
Born: January 2, 1934
Died: November 19, 2023
Age 89, of Braidwood, IL passed away peacefully on Sunday, November 19, 2023 surrounded by family. Born on January 2, 1934 in Essex, IL to the late Stephen and Ellen Marie Bolatto, Sr. He graduated with the Reddick High School Class of 1950 and while in high school he played basketball, football, and, his favorite sport, baseball. A standout on the baseball team, for two years he was named Kankakee Valley All Conference and Jr Legion Kankakee Conference for as catcher and 3rd baseman. His greatest memory from that time was traveling to Kansas City in 1946 to play against Mickey Mantle. After high school he continued to play baseball for the Essex Merchants. In 1952 he began working construction and in 1959 he joined the Laborers Union Local 75. Steve was a dedicated Union supporter. On April 13, 1958 he married the love of his life, Mary Cermak, and together they made their home and raised their family in Braidwood. After retirement in 1993 he continued to work taking on employment at the Braidwood Recreation Club in the area maintenance department until 2020. He was a Reed Township Trustee for 14 years. A Kansas City Chiefs fan, he enjoyed watching baseball the most and was an avid Reed-Custer Comets fan. More than anything he loved to watch all his grandsons play and was a devoted papa.
Surviving are his daughters, Tami (Scott) Favero, Nicole (Rob) Carlo and Lora (Dave) Grant all of Braidwood; son, Richard (LuAnn) Bolatto of Braidwood; grandchildren, Joshua (Susan) Bolatto; Michael (JeriLyn) Favero, Jacob (Erica) Bolatto, Andy (Jessica) Favero, Brandon Carlo, Adam (Jessi) Bolatto and Melissa (Ron) Tondini; He was known as Big Papa to 13 great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren; in laws, Richard Goad, Roberta (Joe) Kocarek, Alberta Bolatto, Betty (Francis) Kavanaugh and Judy Bolatto; as well as many nieces and nephews.
Preceding him in death was his beloved wife Mary Bolatto (8-28-2009); son, Stephen Bolatto (6-24-2021); brothers, Melvin, Joe D., Jerry and Vincent Bolatto; in laws, Gertrude and Ken Ericksen, Theresa and Ed Krull, Bill Harrop and Darlene Goad.
Visitation will be held at the R.W. Patterson Funeral Home & Crematory on Friday, November 24, 2023 from 4:00-8:00 pm and on Saturday, November 25, 2023 at 9:00 am until time of Funeral Service at 10:00 am. Interment will follow at the Bohemian National Cemetery in Essex, IL. Steve requested that friends and family that are union members please show your pride and wear a union shirt. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be directed to the Bohemian National Cemetery Maintenance Fund or the Braidwood Lions Club. For more information and to visit his online guestbook, please log on to www.rwpatterosnfuneralhomes.com or find us on Facebook.