Obituary of Donald J Ciancio, Sr.
Donald J. Ciancio, Sr.
Age 84, of Shorewood, IL and formerly Elkhart, IN passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by family, Saturday morning, June 25, 2022.
Born October 16, 1937 in Chicago, IL to the late Antoinette (Patrone) and Emil Ciancio, Donald was raised in the Campbell Park neighborhood. He attended St. Callistus Grade School and graduated from St. Ignatius High School with the class of 1955. Donald also studied accounting at Loyola University. He served as corporate controller for several companies, including Coleman Cable & Wire and Groman Corp., throughout his professional career.
He is survived by his beloved wife Patricia (Payne) of 64 years, whom he married on November 23, 1957.
Donald is also survived by his five children, Donald Jr. (Mae) Ciancio, Pamela (Thomas) Schumacher, Daniel (Donna) Ciancio, Paula (Kevin) Krause and Dennis (Jamie) Ciancio. Don was the devoted grandfather of Christina Schumacher (Kevin) Psoter, Thomas (Elizabeth Osborn) Schumacher, Donald III (Cassaundra Burt) Ciancio, Joseph (Alyssa) Ciancio, the late baby Frances Ciancio, Annamarie (Johnny) Jansky, Dominic Ciancio, John Ciancio, Sophia Ciancio, Jonathan Krause, Kathryn Krause, Mary Ciancio, Eli Snyder, Nicholas Ciancio, Anna Snyder and Jacob Ciancio; proud great-grandfather of Heidi Psoter, Beatrix Psoter, Lev Schumacher and Eloise Schumacher.
Donald will be remembered as a devout Christian who truly lived his faith. A former parishioner and Eucharistic minister for years at St. Thomas the Apostle in Elkhart and Holy Family in Shorewood, he could be relied on to bring communion and his positive demeanor to the ill at the local hospital and their homes. He and Patricia along with five other couples were most proud of sponsoring an adoration chapel at St. Thomas several years ago.
His involvement with the Knights of Columbus spanned four decades. He twice served as Faithful Navigator at his home council, St. Jude #1043, in Elkhart where he spearheaded organizing volunteers for the 1987 Special Olympics opening ceremonies in South Bend, IN.
A people person who could relate to all ages, Donald enjoyed interaction with all, and perhaps a little spirited debate once in a while too. He especially enjoyed his role as an usher at Notre Dame Stadium interacting with students, fans and foes alike, a privilege he thoroughly enjoyed for 17 years.
After their move to Shorewood, Donald and Patricia joined Holy Family Parish where they enjoyed new friends and service to the Church.
Donald will be best remembered for his devotion to his family. Nothing was more important to him than the relationships with those listed above. He will remain forever in their hearts and his insight, encouragement and example will continue as a benchmark for future generations. Moreover, they will be eternally grateful to the good Lord for the time Donald was granted after enduring a lung transplant eleven years ago.
Visitation for Donald Ciancio, Sr. will be Friday July 1, 2022 from 4-8 p.m. at the Fred C. Dames Funeral Home 3200 Black Rd. (at Essington Rd.) Joliet. Funeral services will begin Saturday morning July 2, 2022, 10:45 a.m. at the funeral home to Holy Family Catholic Church, 600 N. Brookforest Drive (Rt. 59) Shorewood, where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:30 a.m. Interment will be held at a later date at Queen of Heaven Cemetery Mausoleum in Hillside, IL.
In lieu of flowers memorials in Donald’s name can be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. For more information please call (815) 741-5500 or visit his Memorial Tribute at www.fredcdames.com where you can share a favorite memory or leave a condolence.
