Joseph Fiacchino

Joseph Anthony Fiacchino was born in Chicago August 26, 1956 to parents Anthony and Anne. He was welcomed by older sister Molly. They lived in a multicultural city neighborhood in an apartment building owned by family and filled with family. Joe's grandfather, who had emigrated from Italy, lived with them and spoke very little English. Joe did a great impression of him and had lots of stories and warm memories from his childhood. The doors were always open to family in need. Joe learned lessons of compassion, especially for the homeless and marginalized, from his elders.

When Joe was 12, his father passed away, and the family moved to the western suburbs. After high school, he wanted to pursue his interest in design so he attended The American Academy of Art in Chicago. He met his wife, Melanie, there and then got his first job at The American Bar Association as a graphic designer. He went on to become an exhibit designer and lead a team at General Exhibits & Displays for many years. His passion was designing children's museums.

Joe and Melanie bought a house in Oak Park and became parents to Aria in 1994. He loved her and loved being her dad. He liked taking her to museums in the city on Saturdays. He joined other parents to help build the playground at Aria's grade school. He was so proud of her gifts and accomplishments.

Joe got to know members of Circle Church and became interested in knowing Christ through those friendships. Later, he helped manage the PADS program at Vineyard Church that provided food and shelter for the homeless in Oak Park. His faith and friendships also gave him comfort through many health struggles over the years. 

He retired from design and joined friends to work at M&M Property Management in Oak Park. After retiring from there, Joe moved into Mills Park Tower and enjoyed hanging out with the gang in the front lobby or sitting in Mills Park with a Starbucks, chatting with neighbors walking their dogs.

Joe passed away on Saturday, January 31 from complications due to diabetes. He is survived by his ex-wife Melanie, daughter Aria, and nieces Stacy and Kelly. He wished for a simple memorial service and asked for his ashes to be scattered over the lake at Beechtree in Michigan, where he was baptized. Joe had a dream once that he walked into a restaurant and there was a long table of relatives who had passed away; his parents, Aunt Angie and Uncle Rudy, his sister Molly, his grandfather and cousins...they were all celebrating and it was joyful and loud. There was an empty chair and someone called out to him "We saved you a seat Joe!" When he woke up he felt like it must have been heaven. He's living that dream now.

Joe requested that, instead of flowers, donations be made to Housing Forward

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.