Fra Noi Embrace Your Inner Italian
Here we are once again, with thanks on our mind, and we have plenty to be thankful for. Having grown up or lived in the Roseland-Kensington-Pullman neighborhoods, many of us have certainly had occasion to pay our last respects at the Panozzo Brothers Funeral Home. The business began on 115th Street and moved further east to Calumet Avenue until they eventually left Roseland for Chicago Heights. Throughout the years, our ability to have a steadfast reliance on Panozzo’s in their time of need was always reassuring.
I recall as a child having to accompany my parents whenever a close friend of theirs or one of our relatives passed away. The only funeral home we ever went to was Panozzo Brothers. I was a teenager before I realized that there were other funeral homes available to us. Of course, being a parishioner of St. Anthony’s on Kensington guaranteed that my childhood had boundaries set by family traditions.
Kensington’s Italian Americans created many of their neighborhood traditions by patronizing the same local businesses and shopping on Michigan Avenue only when necessary. The comfort in dealing with merchants who spoke your native language, knew the same people you knew, and shared many of the same experiences you had was how personal borders and traditions were created.
I can trace my family’s tradition of dealing with the Panozzo Brothers Funeral Home to the death of 3-year-old and 9-year-old brothers who passed before I was born but who I’ve seen in photos. The next family funeral at Panozzo’s happened after the passing of my 86-year-old Nonna Pierina Chiodarelli. For the rest of my life, all other funeral homes were alien territory.
Those traditions explain why we have much to be thankful for when it comes to Larry and Dennis Panozzo. Larry passed away in April 2021 and Dennis passed away in August 2025. Their passing has left a void in the Roseland-Kensington- Pullman historical archives.
I can recall having been at the funeral home with them and overhearing their conversations with patrons. Both Larry and Dennis grew up in the business and from a young age learned and remembered the history of the family they were assisting. The brothers shared an ease and comfortability in talking with people that made everyone seek them out for family and neighborhood conversations that became history lessons.
With Dennis’ passing, the mantle of running the funeral home now rests in his Alan’s capable hands. I recall the many times I saw Dennis at Panozzo Brothers or at Tresche Conca Society Spaghetti-Os or Veneti nel Mondo gatherings. At the funeral home, he was usually running around making sure that protocol was being followed.
No matter where we were, his smile always greeted me before his words, “Ciao boccia!” and I always responded with “Ciao, fratello!” If you asked Dennis a question about anyone from the old neighborhood, you faced the possibility of a 20-minute monologue covering the person’s entire family. Of course, there were always tidbits of surprise with information about previous generations. Those gems were always followed by one of Dennis’ mischievous smiles.
Dennis took great pride in the annual Spaghetti-Os bocce tournament. He managed it like the pro he was and was a great help to Bonny Sandona. He was a natural due to his many years with St. Anthony’s Holy Name Bowling League.
Pullman News
The annual Pullman Labor Day Celebration was a major success. The event was held on the first Saturday in September and had a larger crowd than in previous years. There was a parade, speeches, displays, events for children, and representatives from local and national labor organizations.
The national representatives are part of the celebration every year. The national Labor Day holiday came about in large part due to the 1894 Pullman Strike. It is a very meaningful tribute to the many Pullman workers that took part in the strike.
The 52nd annual Pullman House Tour took place in October and was a resounding success. Pullman’s charm and history once again proved to be a draw for history buffs and architecture lovers. Special thanks go to the volunteers and to the homeowners who put all the work into the planning and preparation for the event. The Pullman House Tour is the major community event that takes place and is a mainstay for all of Chicago to look forward to. I had my house on the tour twelve years ago and have never forgotten the experience of sharing Pullman with the hundreds of interested visitors.
“Petals from Roseland: Fond Memories of Chicago’s Roseland, Pullman and Kensing Neighborhoods” is available from me for anyone interested in sharing or revisiting their life in Roseland at $20 + $5 s&h. Contact me at petalsfromroseland@gmail.com or 11403 S. St. Lawrence Ave., Chicago, Ill. 60628; 773-710-3559. My book is also available at D & D Foods, 1023 S. Halsted, Chicago Heights, at Bookie’s New and Used Books, 10324 S. Western Ave, Chicago and at Miles Books,2819 Jewett Ave., Highland, Indiana.
Thank you CJ for the always recalling that special place/time we shared. And now, this month for the tribute to my Uncle Dennis: special man, a very special service.
Thank you CJ for remembering Dennis Panozzo in such a personal and great way. Like you, I can remember going with my parents to many a funeral at Panozzo’s Funeral Home for many of their (and later) friends/family. Dennis and Larry would ensure that everyone was taken care of and respected, especially the mourning family. As a kid, I came to understand that dying was part of life and I think that happened because of the atmosphere that surrounded us at the funeral home. I could go on and on, because Dennis (and the Panozzo Family) were always present for our family, no matter the need or socially as well. I know the Home is in good hands with Alan and he will continue the legacy of caring.