Joseph G. Petronio

Joseph Petronio, age 76, of New Lenox, passed away peacefully on November 3, 2023 at Sunny Hill Nursing Home in Joliet.

Joseph was born in Gorizia, Italy on January 17, 1947. He was preceded in death by his wife Diane (July). He was also preceded by his mother Lilian Nelsen; brother Mario Corradino; and brother-in-law Donald Rademacher.

Joseph is survived by his children Brian (Emily) Petronio of Joliet, Michael of Guam, and Jason (Rizal Hamdallah) of Chicago; grandson Sebastian; siblings-in-law Gene (Marilynn) Rademacher of Grant Park, Jan (John) Rodgers of Bourbonnais; former sister-in-law Cheryl Marita of Espanola, NM; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Joseph was adopted by the Petronio family of New Jersey in 1957. He graduated from Christian Brothers Academy in Lincroft, NJ in 1966. He attended Lewis College and then graduated from St. Procopius College in Lisle in 1970. Joseph taught social studies in the Frankfort School District 157-C for almost thirty years until his retirement in 2004. In his free time, Joseph loved traveling, listening to music, studying history, telling jokes, and learning about UFO’s.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Joseph’s name to St. Jude’s Church in New Lenox or Lightways Hospice.

The family will receive friends at Kurtz Memorial Chapel 102 E. Francis Rd., New Lenox on Thursday, November 9, 2023, from 4pm-8pm. Funeral services Friday, November 10, 2023, with prayers at the funeral home at 9:30am to St. Jude Catholic Church, New Lenox for Mass of Christian burial at 10:00am. Interment Mount St. Patrick Cemetery, Wilton Center.