Robert Bob Rita

On behalf of my mother, Rose, my sister Nancy, my brother John Jr., and the entire Rita family, I would like to extend our appreciation for the kind words, thoughts, cards, and prayers. My father had an enormous impact on both my professional and personal life. He was my mentor, teacher, role model and best friend. My father constantly instilled in me his secrets to success:

My father always viewed community service as the highest of callings. He spent his entire adult life trying to improve his community, the neighborhoods, the schools, the infrastructure, and the parks. He had a natural gift to bring people together for a common purpose. He was often fond of stating that he was not a highly educated man. However, he had an excellent memory, a desire to set and accomplish goals, even in the face of solid obstacles, and an enormous amount of “common sense” and charm. He reached out to people in the community for their advice and assistance. He never looked at people by their income level, their skin color, or their religious beliefs. He looked to them as neighbors. My father was a natural born leader.

My father, John, was 74 years old. He was married to my mom, Rose, for 57 years. They had four children, John Jr., Richard (deceased), Nancy and me. He was born, raised and lived his entire life without ever leaving High Street. He was the first Italian-American Mayor of Blue Island and served in that capacity from 1978 to 1985. Prior to that, he represented the 3^rd Ward of Blue Island as their alderman from 1963 to 1978. He was also the Democratic Committeeman for Calumet Township and also served on numerous Boards and appointments throughout Cook County, mostly the south suburbs, mainly in the area of transportation. He enjoyed many friends from all walks of life. We often joked that anywhere you went with him, somebody there knew him. He loved his family, his fishing and his work. I, along with our entire family, will miss him very much. Thank you again, for your concerns, your condolences and your prayers.

Visitation:

August 15, 2008 3:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Vandenberg Funeral Home
17248 S. Harlem Ave., Tinley Park, IL.

Visitation:

August 16, 2008 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Vandenberg Funeral Home
17248 S. Harlem Ave., Tinley Park, IL.

Mass:

August 16, 2008 4:30 p.m., St. Donatus Catholic Church
1939 Union St., Blue Island, IL.