Gerald L. Lorenzi

Gerald L. “Jerry” Lorenzi, 79, of La Salle, died January 8, 2018 in St. Margaret’s Hospital in Spring Valley.

Mass of Christian burial will be 12:00 PM Saturday in St. Mary’s Church in Utica with Rev. Michael Driscoll officiating.  Burial will be in St. Hyacinth’s Cemetery in La Salle with full military services conducted by the La Salle/Oglesby Veterans Memorial Group.  Visitation will be from 4 to 7:00 PM Friday in the Hurst Funeral Home in La Salle with a rosary to be recited at 6:30 PM by Calvert Council #792 Knights of Columbus. Additional visitation will be in the church on Saturday from 11:00 AM until time of services.

Jerry was born in Streator on October 25, 1938 to Al and Lena (Turini) Lorenzi.  His family made their home in Toluca.  He married Mary Lou Pivonski on September 7, 1963.  He served with the US Navy from 1956 to 1959.  He was stationed in Texas and then Long Beach, CA where he served on the US Persistence mine sweeping ship. Jerry was a member of Calvert Council #792 Knights of Columbus, Cedar Point Sportsmen Club, past president of St. Patrick’s Parents Club and past president of the Bedan Club at St. Bede.  He was a past member of St. Joseph Church in Peru, St. Patrick’s Church in La Salle and current member of St. Mary’s Church in Utica.  He was past chairman of the St. Patrick’s Bazaar and Charter member of La Salle Promotional Committee.

Jerry worked at BF Goodrich in Henry. Then Met Life Insurance for 21 years and retired as Insurance Agent for the Knights of Columbus after 23 years, for a total of 44 years of service.

If you had the pleasure of knowing Jerry, you knew that he never met a stranger.  He would talk your ear off about his latest fishing trip to Wolf River in Wisconsin with his cousins and friends, the road trips he and his wife went on to watch the countless ball games of their children, and the most recent bazaar or "doings" that he was involved in trying to raise money for various local groups.  Bocci ball tournaments and competitions had Jerry on the road throughout the year--Labor Day weekends were spent in Toluca competing in the world famous bocci ball tournament, any available moment was spent  with his family fishing at the "Lake" and for one week every summer for 30 years treated his family to countless memories at Indiana Beach.  His larger than life presence shall be missed.  

Jerry is survived by his wife Mary Lou of La Salle; one son Gerry (Sarah) Lorenzi of La Grange; three daughters, Lisa (Mike) Sweeney of Huntley, Melissa (Brian) Basil of Mendota and Maria (Andy) Moody of Bloomington; eight grandchildren, Jake, Anna Sweeney, Laila, Brynna and Grant Lorenzi, Lane, Ella and Taylor Moody; one sister Sue (Mike) Adams of Sarasota, FL.

Pallbearers will be Lee Andreoni, Brian Basil, Don Clark, Pat Clark, Andrew Moody, and Jake Sweeney.

 Service Information