As we continue to honor Tony Durpetti’s extraordinary life and legacy, we invite you to join us in celebrating his memory. The live stream of the funeral Mass, along with his obituary, are available below for those who wish to pay their respects and commemorate his remarkable contributions to our community. Anthony’s leadership and generosity touched the lives of many, and he will be profoundly missed.

Mass Livestream

Livestream starts at 9:40 AM (CST) on Thursday, October 3, 2024
CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE LIVESTREAM

Please note:
– make sure to unmute sound on your Vimeo player
– if image freezes during livestream, refresh page
– use the comments section for troubleshooting during live stream


Obituary

February 1, 1944 – September 26, 2024

Anthony Aldo Durpetti, beloved patriarch, visionary businessman, and the heart & soul of Chicago’s iconic Gene & Georgetti Steakhouse, passed away surrounded by his loving family on September 26th, 2024. Born February 1, 1944 to Aldo and Mary Durpetti, Tony’s life was deeply intertwined with the rich tapestry and traditions of his Italian-American heritage and the City of Chicago. From humble beginnings in the River North neighborhood, Tony’s mother, Mary, instilled in him the values of charity and community service. He served as a U.S. Army Sergeant E-5, and, upon his return, excelled in radio advertising. Before fully committing to Gene & Georgetti, Tony had a successful 30-year career in radio advertising, becoming the Central Division Executive Vice President of McGavren Guild Radio. He later founded Durpetti & Associates, which grew to include 12 offices across the United States and earned him recognition as Radio Executive of the Year in 1986. Tony’s heart always belonged to family and community. He married the love of his life, Marion Michelotti in February 1969 & welcomed their daughter Michelle ten years later, true cornerstones of his life. In 1989, after the passing of his beloved father-in-law, Gene Michelotti, Tony and his wife, Marion, purchased Gene & Georgetti from Gene’s wife Ida to preserve its legacy as Chicago’s oldest family-owned Italian steakhouse, originally founded in 1941. Over the years, Tony was integral in the evolution of Gene & Georgetti, cultivating it into a beacon of hospitality, welcoming everyone from celebrities to local families, and preserving the traditions that made it a beloved institution recognized around the world. Tony was not only a dedicated restaurateur but also a loving husband to Marion, proud father to Michelle, and loving Father-in-law to Collin Pierson. He cherished his friends and loved celebrating life, whether at the restaurant, or his favorite place on earth, his boat, the “Andiamo,” where he found solace and joy. Proud of his Italian-American heritage and his family’s immigrant story, Tony served as the Chairman of the 2013 Chicago Columbus Day Parade, highlighting his commitment to celebrating Italian American culture. His generosity extended beyond his family and business, contributing to numerous charitable causes throughout his life. Tony supported organizations such as Catholic Charities and the Chicago Police Memorial Foundation. His humanitarian work extended throughout the Chicago community and beyond. Because of his caring ideology, Gene & Georgetti now proudly partners with over 75 charities annually in an ongoing effort to honor Tony’s philanthropic spirit and belief in giving back to the community. Tony Durpetti’s legacy will continue 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. Tony lived with pulmonary fibrosis and Parkinson’s disease for 15 years, a testament to his love for life and tenacious spirit. Please consider donating to Hepzibah Children’s Association, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Catholic Charities and Starfish Animal Rescue. He is survived by his wife, Marion, his daughter, Michelle, and her husband, Collin, their rescue dogs Felix + Aldo, their horses (Cassius, Mo, Serafina, Reese, Porkchop, Jetson + Nixon) as well as many extended family members, dear friends, and the dedicated team at Gene & Georgetti who are family to him. Visitation will be held at Belmont Funeral Home, 7120 W. Belmont Ave., Thursday, October 3 from 8-9 am. Mass of Christian Burial beginning at 10 am at Assumption Catholic Church, 323 W. Illinois St.

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