James Antonacci, 51, a retired Chicago police lieutenant who worked as the deputy chief investigator for the Cook County state’s attorney’s office, died Thursday, Oct. 5, in Resurrection Medical Center. Born on the West Side, Mr. Antonacci became a police officer in 1971. “He didn’t like people who took advantage of people,” said his longtime friend, Mike Maloney. “That’s why he became a police officer. He was definitely a lieutenant with a policeman’s heart.” Mr. Antonacci spent eight years as a homicide detective. He also spent seven years supervising the East Chicago District tactical team of undercover officers, Maloney said. Four years ago, he joined the Cook County state’s attorney’s office’s investigative bureau as a deputy chief,, said his supervisor, Bill Guswiler. Mr. Antonacci’s son, Jeffrey, recalled that on family trips, from Arizona to the North Woods of Wisconsin, his father always ran into someone he knew. “I’ll always remember my dad as being one of the happiest, most kindhearted people in the world,” Jeffrey Antonacci said. Besides his son, Mr. Antonacci is survived by his wife, Yvonne; a daughter, Jennifer; his parents, Vito and Patricia; and his grandmother, Alma Stoehr. Visitation will be from 3 to 9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday in Smith-Corcoran Funeral Home, 6150 N. Cicero Ave. Mass will be said at 11 a.m. Monday in Queen of All Saints Basilica, 6280 N. Sauganash Ave., Chicago.
