Albert John Choate - dedicated husband, dad, grandpa, and friend - lost his battle with cancer on January 27, 2023, peacefully in Winfield, IL, surrounded by his family.

Albert was born September 18, 1947, to Vera Marie (Krueger) and Gerald Eugene Choate in Chicago, their third child.

Starting in his childhood, he loved building and creating things. While in high school, his talents were recognized in the Chicago Tribune in 1965 when he built a tow truck for his fathers' service station at Gordon Technical High School's welding club.

He served in the Army from 1966-1968 as a mechanic and was stationed in Germany. During that time, he was honored with the title of Godfather to Michelle Nelson (Kiel). After his honorable discharge, he returned home and worked as a mechanic at his service station.

In 1975, Albert met Filomena (Nuccia) Gattuso in Chicago at the insistence of Dominic and Teresa Gattuso, amazing matchmakers.  Albert proposed four days later and they married a year later on July 10, 1976. Albert and Nuccia went on to have three children, Jessica, Antoinette and Marisa.

Albert was an adoring grandpa to Emma, Chaopan, and Michael.

He worked so hard, always building and tinkering whether it was installing hardwood flooring, repairing a sewing machine, or designing and building side tables - he always juggled so many projects to help his family. For instance, Nuccia suggested that they give her brother his first car for his birthday, so Albert bought a car, replaced the transmission, painted it a rich blue and personally delivered it to Montreal. He took her cousins to the farm where the intrepid Enza discovered a "cat" (skunk).

He loved antiques and history, fishing, and - most of all - his family. One of the titles he was most proud of was Godfather to Michelle, Chris, Amy and Nina. Slow to anger and long on patience, he was kind to everyone and a wonderful teacher to his daughters.

Albert is survived by his wife, Nuccia; their children Jessica (Michael Marano), Antoinette (John Tangren), and Marisa (Trent Marton); and his grandchildren Emma, Chaopan, and Michael.

A visitation will be held on Tuesday, January 31, 2023, from 4:00 until 8:00 PM. at Hultgren Funeral Home, 304 N. Main St., Wheaton, IL. On Wednesday, February 1, you are invited to gather at 9:30 a.m. at Hultgren Funeral Home. Mass will be held on Wednesday, February 1, 2023 at 10:30 a.m. at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, 0S233 Church St., Winfield, IL followed by interment at 11:30 a.m. at Assumption Cemetery, 1S510 Winfield Rd., Wheaton. Luncheon to follow at noon at Stephen Persinger Recrecation Center, Room 201/202, 3507 Kaneville Rd., Geneva, IL 60134.

A livestream of the Mass will be available here Funeral Mass for Albert J. Choate