Guy, James Scalzitti 

Guy, James Scalzitti Age 88. U.S. Army WWII veteran.  Bronze Star recipient.
Cherished son of the late Romilda and Antonio.  Beloved husband of Tommie Lou.
Proud father of Larry (Judy) of Lake Zurich, Gary (Sofia) of Vernon Hills and Mary (Jim Barrett) of Denver, Colorado.

Loving grandfather of Rachel and Jimmy Barrett, Patrick, Thomas (Larry and Judy), Daniella and Christina (Gary and Sofia) Scalzitti.
Loving brother of Susan (Late Tony Ventresca), Mildred (Late Michael Roman), Antonio Jr. (Mary) and the late John. Brother in-law of Donald (Mary)Williams. Uncle to many nieces and nephews.

The son of Italian immigrants, Mr. Scalzitti grew up on Chicago’s West side. At the age of 12 he held multiple jobs, working during the week at the local butcher’s shop and on weekends delivering milk in the neighborhood to help the family make ends meet during the Depression.

When he was 18 years old, Mr. Scalzitti was drafted into the US Army. He landed on shore in Europe as part of the Normandy invasion and fought in some of the most critical battles of the war including  the Normandy, Rhineland  and Central European campaigns,  for which he was awarded the Bronze Star.

Wounded twice in battle, he received 2 Purple Hearts and was promoted from “buck” private to Staff Sargent as a result of his actions on the battlefield.

He met his wife of 62 years, Tommie Lou Williams, at Fort Benning Georgia while enrolled in Officers’ Candidate School after being called again to serve during the

Korean War. Mr. Scalzitti earned a promotion to 2nd Lieutenant and then married Tommie Lou in December 1951 in nearby Sylacauga, Alabama.

Mr. Scalzitti returned home to Chicago with his new wife resuming his work as a stationary engineer with the Chicago Park District while working various other jobs to put his three children through private elementary, high school and college.  For many years he held the position as Chief Engineer at the Garfield Park power house.  He also worked in this capacity at Lincoln, Washington and Wilson Ave Parks while operating the famous Buckingham Fountain on the lake front in the Summer.

An avid sports fan, Mr. Scalzitti was heavily involved in youth sports coaching many of his kids’ little league teams while making frequent visits to Wrigley Field to watch his beloved Cubs. He was active in scouting volunteering as assistant scout master for his sons’ Boy Scout troops.

After retiring from the Park District in 1978, Mr. Scalzitti started an income tax and financial consulting firm, operating this business from his Arlington Heights home serving hundreds of clients until transitioning the business to his son in recent years.

Mr. Scalzitti was a lifelong member of the Disabled American Veterans.

Visitation will be held at Glueckert Funeral Home , 1520 Arlington Heights Rd, Arlington Heights, Illinois on Tuesday, September 3rd from 4pm to 8pm .  A funeral service will be held at Glueckert Funeral Home on Wednesday,  September 4th at 11am.  Private Internment. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to St. Jude Childrens’ Research Hospital (Memphis ,Tn). 

Glueckert Funeral Home

(847) 253-0168

1520 North Arlington Heights Road

Arlington Heights, IL 60004