Emo Amidei

Emo Amidei, age 87, of Highland Park, Illinois, passed away peacefully on Friday, November 15, 2024, at Highland Park Hospital. Born on September 22, 1937, in Fornoli, Lucca, Italy, to Paolo and Virginia Assunta (Cesarotti) Amidei, Emo was a beloved husband, father, nonno, brother and friend.

Emo’s life journey began in Italy, where he proudly served in the Italian Army. On November 8, 1964, he married the love of his life, Assunta Ferrarini, at the Chiesa di Santa Maria della Stella in Castelnuovo Di Garfagnana, Italy. In 1965, the couple immigrated to Highwood, Illinois, where they began their family and built a life together.

Emo worked as a tailor in Italy, and briefly at Fell's Mens Store in Highland Park before transitioning into the construction industry. He became a skilled bricklayer and stone mason, working with Fiocchi Construction Company. While his professional life was fulfilling, it was always his family that remained the center of his heart. In a beautiful final gesture, Emo and Assunta renewed their wedding vows at his bedside at Highland Park Hospital, celebrating 60 years of marriage.

A quiet and simple man, Emo was deeply involved in his community. He was one of the original members and builders of the Highwood Bocce Ball Courts, when not on the bocce courts, he could often be found playing cards with his friends or tending to his beautiful vegetable garden, where he took great pride in his tomatoes. Emo also enjoyed smelt fishing at Lake Michigan, a cherished activity he looked forward to each year.

Emo’s legacy lives on in the lives of his family: his beloved wife, Assunta; his loving children, Marco (Aynsley) Amidei of Libertyville and Sandra Amidei of Libertyville; and his cherished grandchildren, Ava, Maya, Gianna, Alyssa and Joey. He was the dear brother of the late Lina (late Bobby) Pieri, late Marta (late Silvio) Beluomoni, late Gina (late Alessio) Giovanini, late Giuseppina (late Angelo) Setti, late Carlo (late Maria) Amidei and Milta (Mike) Nizzi of Highland Park.  Emo was also a caring zio and friend to many.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, November 21, 2024, from 4:00 to 9:00 P.M. at Seguin & Symonds Funeral Home, 858 Sheridan Road, Highwood. Family and friends are invited to gather on Friday, November 22, 2024, at 12:00 Noon for a funeral mass at Christ Our Hope Parish, Immaculate Conception Church, 770 Deerfield Road, Highland Park, with Rev. James Merold celebrating. Entombment will follow at Ascension Cemetery, Libertyville, Illinois.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to Misericordia Heart of Mercy, an organization that was dear to Emo's heart.

Emo's memory will live on in the hearts of all who knew him, his quiet strength, love for family, and dedication to his passions. He will be missed, but never forgotten.

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