Avignone, Mario Joseph Age 93 passed away peacefully December 29th at the IL Veterans Home in Manteno, IL. Longtime resident of historic Pullman and founding member of The Pullman Civic Organization, active member of the Roseland/Pullman Sports Hall of Fame and many other Roseland/Pullman organizations. As a member of the U.S. Army Air Corps during WWII he became acquainted and developed a longtime friendship with Saint Padre Pio. Active parishioner of St. Anthony of Padua Parish where he was a member of Holy Name Society and San Salvador Knights of Columbus. Penned the "Petals from Roseland" column in the Fra Noi Italian newspaper for over 40 years. Retired in 1983 from the Sherwin-Williams Paint Company where he worked for 43 years as an expeditor in the paint and chemical shipping department.

Husband for 52 years of the late Margaret "Peggy" (nee Van Waus); father of Lawrence (late Claudia) and Michael (Pamela) Avignone; grandfather of Mario, David, Mark (Tracy), Matthew, Alicia, Jami, Eric and Nicholas Avignone; great grandfather of Mallorie Avignone. Brother of John Avignone and the late Josephine Parise, Johanna Mattino and Alfred Avignone.

esting at Panozzo Bros. Funeral Home, 530 W. 14th St. (US Rt. 30, 3 blks E. of Western Ave.), Chicago Heights on Tuesday January 3rd from 3:00 PM to 9:00 PM. Body will lie in state Wednesday morning from 9:30 AM until time of Funeral Mass 10:00 AM at St. Anthony of Padua Church, 11533 S. Prairie Ave., Chicago. Interment Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Worth. 708-481-9230.

Published in Chicago Sun-Times on January 1, 2012

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Mr. Avignone was responsible for getting Pullman its landmark status. The local industries of the area were seriously talking about tearing residential Pullman down so they could expand the factory district. Without his tireless efforts, they may have succeeded.

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