Obituary of Peter Cinquegrani

Peter M. Cinquegrani Peter M. Cinquegrani, aged 88, died peacefully surrounded by his family in Joliet, IL on July 29th, 2015. He was born May 8th, 1927 in Chicago, IL to Samuel & Susanne Cinquegrani. At the age of 17, Peter enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corp; proudly serving his country from 1945-1949. Upon his return from service, he wed his beloved Helen and had 3 children: Michael, Susan and Gail. A pillar of the Joliet community and pioneer in the fast food industry, Peter and Helen opened the 13th McDonald's franchise internationally on December 26th, 1956 on Jefferson Street in Joliet. He went on to successfully own & operate 11 McDonald's in the Chicagoland area and establish a legacy that his family is proud to uphold. Peter led a full and vibrant life; he was an avid golfer and swimmer and enjoyed cruising the world with his wife of 65 1/2 years by his side. A devout Catholic and faithful supporter of the Church, he was always kind to the less fortunate and was instrumental in the opening of the first Ronald McDonald House. A modest man who made no show of his success, he was content with a home-cooked meal and a TV program as he sat in his old recliner. His hard work, tenacity and generosity opened countless doors of opportunity and blessing for his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Peter's dry humor and witty remarks will be dearly missed. He is survived by his wife, Helen; children Michael (Carol) Cinquegrani, Susan (Gary) Talarico and Gail (Cam) Kennedy; grandchildren Emily (Gene) Stanford, Michael, Daniel & Anthony Stinnett, Sean (Katlyn) Kennedy, Michelle, Madeline & Thomas Kennedy and Elizabeth Cinquegrani; great-grandchildren Campbell Kennedy & Lily, Vivienne & Wyatt Stanford. Funeral Services for Peter M. Cinquegrani will be Monday, August 3, 2015 at 9:15 a.m. to St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church for a Mass of Christian Burial to be Celebrated at 10:00 a.m. Enshrinement Woodlawn Memorial Park Mausoluem. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Chicagoland & Northwest Indiana (https://support.rmhccni.org/GenOpsDonation) or the Joliet Area Community Hospice (http://www.joliethospice.org/online-donations-form.html). Visitation Sunday 2-6 p.m. at the funeral home. For information (815) 741-5500. ~ Semper Fi ~