Raffaele Spinelli, age 86, born in Casamassima, Bari, Italy, gentle husband, sweetest daddy, proud grandpa and the most adoring great-grandpa, you are that and so much more to all of us. Your greatest accomplishment was teaching us how to love. This you did while overcoming the challenges of making a new home for your family in America. You did so well! Your strength protected us and kept us safe, and we are comforted in knowing that you will always be there, right next to us. Dearest, we are sad for us, but so very happy for you because we know that, with your earthly burdens lifted, you are free to be your true essence once again: A man of wisdom and a lover of tranquility You are our heart. Raffaele died peacefully at home on Sunday, May 13, 2007, beloved husband of Salvatora, nee Ciolino; loving father of Josephine (Don) LaMonica, Maria (Sam) Scardino, Louise (Doug) Hernbrott, Rose (Peter Hawley) Spinelli and Anita (Lou Gallo) Spinelli; loving grandfather of Barbara (Dale) Glabus, Donald (Julie) LaMonica, Roy and Carla Culotta; dear great-grandfather of Ella Rose, Sophia Rose, Ava Rose, Benjamin Vaughn and Charlotte Jude; dear brother of the late Angelo and the late Rocchina Spinelli, the late Louise Vicenanzo and the late Pietro Spinelli; fond uncle of many nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers, donations to one of the following charities appreciated, Rainbow Hospice, 444 N. Northwest Highway, Suite 145, Park Ridge, IL 60068, Kidney Foundation, 600 S. Federal, Chicago, IL 60605 or National Heart Foundation, 22512 Gateway Center Dr., Clarksburg, MD 20871. Funeral Wednesday, 9 a.m. from the Cumberland Chapels, 8300 W. Lawrence Ave., Norridge to Mary Seat of Wisdom Church, Park Ridge. Mass 10 a.m. Entombment St. Joseph Mausoleum. Visitation Tuesday, 3 to 9 p.m. Info 708-456-8300 or www.cumberlandchapels.com
