Bruno A. Maestri, age 101, a resident of Downers Grove, went to be with his Lord, peacefully at home on Monday, December 17. He was born October 9, 1917 in Chicago to Urbano and Frances Maestri.

He began working with his Father as a knife grinder/sharpener (as his Ancestors came from a long line of them in Austria.) He was in World War II–Army Engineers, Company C, Combat Battalion. After an honorable discharge from WWII he did plumbing work, became a Railroad Detective, and eventually settled on being a Truck Mechanic.

He was one of the oldest active members of the American Legion Post 80 in Downers Grove in which he was a regular worker for their Tuesday BINGO nights. He was also very involved in volunteering in the Downers Grove Park District Active Adult Center years ago delivering Meals on Wheels. He received the Volunteer of the Year Award from them in 2011.

For a life of 101 years Bruno not only accomplished many things, but was especially blessed for the following highlights of his life:
▪   Jesus became His Lord & Savior in September 1990 when he was 73 years old.
▪   He was able to go on the Honor Flight Chicago to the World War II Memorial in Washington, DC in October, 2012.
▪   Has been clear of cancer since 1977!!!!!
▪   He lived with Kay for 63 years – longer than he lived with anyone.
▪   He has a loving and grateful family who have cherished their time with him.

He is survived by his children: Marilyn Andrasek, Frances (Daniel) McLaughlin, Robert (Karen) Maestri; grandchildren: Raymond, Michael Andrasek, Karen Pyka, Tiffany (Gregory) Whalen, Melissa (Terrence) Coughlin, Shirlee Scott, great-grandchildren: Joshua, Jacob, Jacquelyn Andrasek, Trinity, Savannah Alexander, Olivia, Noah, Brielle Whalen, Caleb Sapp, Kaiden Coughlin as well as nieces & nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife Katherine in 2004, daughter Sandra, grandsons Charles Brieschke, John McNamara, his sisters Antoinette Rothenberger, Olga Shea-Bisz, Jewel Panza.

A Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, December 22, 2018 at Western Springs Baptist Church , 4475 Wolf Road, Western Springs, IL 60558. Friends may visit with the family at 10:00 a.m. prior to the service which begins at 11:00 a.m. Interment will follow at Clarendon Hills Cemetery in Darien, Illinois.

Memorial gifts may be directed to U.S Department of Veterans Affairs, Edward Hines Jr. VA Hospital , 5000 5th Ave., Hines, IL 60141.