Honoring Anthony A. Durpetti
A beloved patriarch, visionary businessman and the heart and soul of Chicago’s iconic Gene & Georgetti Steakhouse
1944-2024
(CHICAGO, IL; September 28, 2024) – Anthony Aldo Durpetti, a beloved patriarch, visionary businessman and the heart and soul of Chicago’s iconic Gene & Georgetti Steakhouse, passed away earlier this week surrounded by his loving family. A third generation Italian born in February 1944 to Aldo and Mary Durpetti, Tony’s life was deeply intertwined with the rich history and traditions of his Italian heritage and the city of Chicago.
With humble beginnings in River North – just blocks from Gene & Georgetti – Tony’s mother, Mary, instilled in Tony the values of hard work and community service from an early age. He was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1965, and he served at a Hercules Missile site in Zweibruken, Germany. He made Sargent E-5 in just 11 months and was honorably discharged after two years.
In 1967, he returned to the U.S. only to meet and fall head over heels for a young woman named Marion Michelotti, who became the love of his life. Tony and Marion married on his birthday in 1969, the same year he began working at McGavern Guild Radio as a sales representative. This was just the start of Tony’s three-decade, successful career in advertising. He quickly rose through the ranks to eventually lead McGavren’s Central Division as Executive Vice President and later founded his own successful firm, Durpetti & Associates, which grew to 12 offices nationwide and earned him distinction as Advertising Executive of the Year in 1986.
In 1979, Tony and Marion welcomed their beautiful daughter Michelle, a cornerstone of their lives. Ten years later — after the passing of his father-in-law, Gene Michelotti, in 1989 — they took over Gene & Georgetti to preserve the restaurant’s legacy as Chicago’s oldest steakhouse (founded in 1941). Over the three decades that followed, Tony turned Gene & Georgetti into a beacon of hospitality and a true Chicago landmark, championing the traditions that have made it a beloved institution until today. Whether welcoming celebrities like Frank Sinatra, Harry Carey or Keanu Reeves – or the thousands of local families, regulars and visitors that passed through Gene & Georgetti’s doors every week – everyone was treated like a long-lost relative with a firm handshake, a double-kiss or a friendly joke. An integral part of the brand’s national recognition, Tony always tempered tradition with innovation. He led the first-ever expansion of Gene & Georgetti by doubling its size in 1996, growing seating from 120 to 220 people. He also expanded the business with a new location in Rosemont, IL in 2015 and later brought an outpost of the brand to Chicago’s Midway Airport.
Amidst his business success, Tony’s heart was always centered on family and community. He was a doting husband to Marion, proud father to daughter Michelle and loving father-in-law to Collin Pierson. He cherished family gatherings at the restaurant or on his boat, where he found both solace and joy. His commitment to his family extended into business, where he worked alongside Michelle and others, playing a pivotal and forward-thinking role in mentoring the family’s next generation of leaders.
Known for his lifelong support of community events and organizations, Tony contributed generously to Assumption Church, Catholic Charities, Chicago Gateway Green, the Chicago Police Memorial Foundation and various Italian-American cultural initiatives. His engagement reflected his sincere love of both his Italian roots and the community at large. He served as the Chairman of the 2013 Columbus Day Parade and was active with the Joint Civic Committee of Italian Americans.
Because of his caring ideology, Gene & Georgetti now partners with more than 75 charities annually in an ongoing effort to uphold Tony’s philanthropic spirit.
Tony lived with pulmonary fibrosis and Parkinson’s disease for 15 years, a testament to his tenacity and love of life. His legacy lives on through the love and dedication of his family, the thriving success of Gene & Georgetti and the countless lives he touched with his generosity, humor and indomitable spirit.
He is survived by his wife, Marion; his daughter Michelle and his son-in-law Collin — as well as their rescue dogs (Felix and Aldo) and horses (Cassius, Mo, Serafina, Reese, Porkchop, Jetson and Nixon). He is also survived by many extended family members, dear friends and the loyal team at Gene & Georgetti – whom he always called family.
Services honoring the life and legacy of Tony Durpetti are as follows:
Visitation will be held Thursday, October 3 from 8 to 9 a.m. at Belmont Funeral Home (7120 W. Belmont Ave., Chicago). Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. at Assumption Catholic Church (323 W. Illinois Street, Chicago). A reception for family and friends will immediately follow at Gene & Georgetti (500 N. Franklin St., Chicago).
In loving memory of Tony Durpetti, please consider a donation to:
Hephzibah Children’s Association
***FOR PRESS ONLY: In the spirit of remembering Tony’s remarkable life, The Durpetti Family is open to media presence and/or interviews. Please contact Janet Isabelli at janet@isabellipartners.com or (773) 392-6227.***
