Richard S Bertoni

Beloved husband of Marie (nee Dykes) Bertoni; loving father of Arlene (Michael) Mancine and Michael (Stephania) Bertoni; cherished Papa of Ensign Vickie and Marissa Mancine; devoted son of the late Frank and the late Helen (nee Plytynski) Bertoni; dear brother of the late Stanley “Stash” (Rosemarie) Bertoni; fond uncle of Stanley “Stash” (Gail) Bertoni, CTMCS Matthew Smith, Nicole Smith and Maddie. Visitation will be held at Michael Coletta Sons Funeral Home 544 W. 31st St. (Chicago) on Sunday; November 15th from 3:00 P.M.-8:00 P.M. and Monday from 8:30 A.M.-9:15 A.M. with a procession to St. Jerome Croatian Church 2823 S. Princeton Ave. (Chicago) for Mass of Christian Burial 10:00 A.M.. Internment St. Mary Cemetery.

Richard was a graduate of Mount Carmel High School in 1960 served as class president, and  team captain, halfback of the football team. In High school he was also the 1960 lightweight basketball captain. Richard then graduated from DePaul University with a degree in Urban Studies. Richard had over 43 in public service: Richard started his career in government and the Chicago Park District as a Lifeguard at age 16 on the beaches of Chicago later making it to the top as the Director of Citywide Recreation for the Chicago Park District. Richard worked as Manager in the City of Chicago Department of Human Services, and also worked under Richard J. Daley in charge of youth welfare programs. He also served as a director of youth intervention programs for Cook County and Sheriff O’Grady. The end of his career he served as Stadium Director at Winnemac Stadium for 9 years for the Chicago Public schools. Richard officiated Division I college Basketball for over 35 years and assignment chairman for the Chicago Catholic League for Basketball and Wrestling. Later earning accolades in the Mount Carmel Hall of Fame, Chicago Catholic League Hall of Fame, Illinois Coaches and Officials Hall of Fame. Richard was a proud member of the 11th ward and Old Neighborhood Italian American Club and ran a pinnacle club at Taylor Lauridsen Park later in his life. Richard was a loving husband to Marie Bertoni for 53 years was the biggest cheerleader to his children Mike and Arlene and grandchildren Vickie and Marissa in life and all their sporting events many times serving as the official scorekeeper on the sidelines.

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