Laurence "Nuco" M. Fonderoli

Laurence M. “Nuco” Fonderoli, 92, of Arlington, passed away April 2, 2019 in St. Margaret’s Hospital in Spring Valley surrounded by his family.

Mass of Christian burial will be 11:00 AM Saturday at St. Patrick’s Church in Arlington with Rev. Patrick Fixsen officiating. Burial will be at Calvary Cemetery in Arlington. Visitation will be 5-8:00 PM Friday at St. Patrick’s Church in Arlington. Additional visitation will be Saturday from 10:00 AM until time of services. The Hurst Funeral Home in Ladd is assisting the family with arrangements.

Nuco was born in Dalzell on November 5, 1926 to Silvio and Catherine (Castelli) Fonderoli. He married Dorothy Pierard on April 19, 1947.  On September 10, 1983, Nuco married Diane Kusick.  Nuco was a farmer from 1950 to 1975 on a farm near Arlington.  He went into partnership with Merv Nauman to operate Nuco & Nauman’s in Arlington. The establishment later became Barney & Nuco’s with Barney Wamhoff.  Lastly, the business became Nuco’s Supper Club until he retired in 1995.  On a good summer night, Barney & Nuco’s would serve 600 orders of chicken. 

Nuco implemented the making of the Fonderoli’s family recipe of homemade sausage as a fundraiser at St. Patrick’s Church which has carried on for over 50 years. It’s estimated that they have made 500,000 pounds of sausage.

Nuco was a dedicated politician. He was often called Mr. Democrat of Bureau County. He was privileged enough to meet President Kennedy, President Carter, and President Obama along with numerous senators and governors.  He was also the Westfield Township supervisor until 1979. Nuco held the position of the Democratic Precinct Committeeman for Westfield Township from 1958 until present. He was also elected to the Bureau County Board in 1962. Nuco retired from the board after 40 years of service on December 1, 2002. 

Nuco was an avid Chicago Cubs and Chicago Bears fan. He also enjoyed fishing, softball, euchre, and bocci ball.  Nuco was the last charter member of the Arlington Athletic Association founded in 1952. He also was a member of the Bureau County Democratic Committee and St. Patrick’s Church & Holy Name Society.

Nuco is survived by two daughters Lauren (Richard) Koch of Arlington and Lynne (Bill Stewart) Bonnell; seven grandchildren Amy (Chris) Kerper of Arlington, Angela (Jonathan) Rush of Chicago, Allison (Dan) Stuepfert of LeRoy, Brian (Megan Ilsley) Koch of Pleasant Plains, Brad (Kasha) Bonnell of Arlington, Lisa (Travis) Moore of Arlington, and Renee (Steve) Carlson of La Moille; three stepchildren Joe (Tori) Lococo of League City, TX, Donna Summers of Peru, and Jason Pottinger of Peru; thirteen great grandchildren; two step- great grandchildren; many nieces and nephews; and his cat Euchre.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his spouses; three brothers Ricco, Benjamin, and Leo; and son-in-law Tony Bonnell.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Calvary Cemetery or the Arlington Park Board.

Pallbearers will be Tim, Steve, Rick, and Bob Fonderoli, Todd Dannis, and Dan Neidetcher. Honorary pallbearers will be Dick and Brian Koch, Brad Bonnell, Bill Stewart, and Dick Monroe.

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