Obituary of Gerald Spesia

Gerald F. Spesia "Jeep" Age 75, of Wilmington, IL and formerly Joliet, died peacefully in his sleep Thursday, January 14, 2016 at his home. He was born February 29, 1940 to the late Antoinette (nee Benetti) and Anthony Spesia, Jr. in Joliet where he was raised and educated, a graduate of Joliet Catholic High School, Class of 1958 and member of the 1958 state championship golf team. He retired from Metropolitan Life Insurance Company after 20 years of service and earning several top salesman awards. Jeep also retired from Laborers Local #75 in 1997 after 15 years of service. Jeep was an avid outdoorsman. In his early years, he thoroughly enjoyed water fowl hunting and fishing the Kankakee River for the illusive cat-balls. For the last 24 years he spent his summers in Oak Harbor, Ohio pursuing Lake Erie walleye. Jeep seldom ate the walleye he caught. He gained more joy from delivering his catch to friends and family. He loved his modest "shack" on the river and his friends that visited him there. They would sit back, have one, and solve the world's problems while watching the river flow by. Preceded in death by his father in 1978 and his mother in 2005. Jeep is survived by his sons, Jeffrey Spesia, Michael Spesia and David (Lisa) Spesia; grandchildren, Fallon (Spesia-Costenero) Torp, Nichole Spesia, Zachary and Abbey Spesia; great- grandchildren, J. Aiden Spesia, Lucy Torp and Nellie Ronning; one brother, Larry Spesia and a nephew, Nicholas Spesia. Jeep had a soft heart that was embodied in a hard exterior and he will be missed by all that knew him well. Visitation for close friends and family will be held Wednesday, January 20, 2016 from 3 - 5 p.m. at the Fred C. Dames Funeral Home, 3200 Black Rd. (at Essington Rd.) Joliet. All friends and relatives are invited to gather on Thursday, January 21, 2016 from 10:00 a.m. until a Memorial Mass of Christian Burial is celebrated at 10:30 a.m. at the Church of St. Anthony, 100 N. Scott Street in Joliet. Inurnment will follow at Mt. Olivet Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Jeep's name can be made to your favorite charity. For information (815) 741-5500.