Michael Pisano: Peace Corps teacher to school bus driver
Memorial Mass will be Tuesday morning, November 19, 2024, with visitation on Monday.
Michael John Pisano, 79, of Rockton, IL died Tuesday November 12, 2024 after a brief illness.
Mike was born January 13, 1945 in Chicago, IL, the son of Pasquale and Mary (Gannon) Pisano. He graduated from Quigley Seminary in the class of 1963, and then Loyola University with a bachelor of science. Michael married Suzanne Feldmann in Chicago, IL on June 17, 1967. Their first adventure together was to join the Peace Corps where they were stationed in Kenya, East Africa. Michael taught English to junior and senior high school students - he was a natural at teaching and the students’ favorite. He also initiated a drama club and coached a basketball team. The students called him Magic Mike - he could “dunk” and make baskets easily back then!
After the Peace Corps, Mike moved to Rockford, IL. and joined with Joe Feldmann in creating Feldmann Formers. Mike and Sue raised their two children, Jenny and Tony, in Rockford. He was a loving, caring and understanding father. Mike retired after 30 years.
After retirement he drove a school bus in the Rockton, IL area for many years, really enjoying getting to know the children. On one route, his daughter and granddaughter got to wave at him each morning. He was a member of St. Peter Catholic Church in South Beloit, IL. He was a volunteer at Beloit Hospital for many years. He enjoyed gathering with friends and family, golfing, smoking cigars, and watching sports and Western movies. Mike was an easygoing, kind hearted, generous person with a most beautiful laugh.
Survivors include wife Sue; daughter Jennifer (Samuel) Hawley; son Anthony (Tracy) Pisano; grandchildren Emily Hawley, Olivia Coleman, Hagen Pisano and Gannon Pisano; sister Cathleen (Anthony) Lenort; sisters-in-law Mary Pisano and Lynn Pisano; numerous nieces and nephews with a special place in his heart for Karen, Patrick, Kevin, Christopher and Terence. He was predeceased by his parents, brothers Robert, Patrick and Joseph Pisano and special niece Karen.
A memorial Mass will be held at 11 a.m., Tuesday, November 19, 2024 in St. Peter Catholic Church, 620 Blackhawk Blvd., South Beloit, IL with Fr. Wentink officiating. Cremation rites to be accorded. A visitation will be held at McCorkle Funeral Home - Rockton Chapel, 767 N. Blackhawk Blvd., Rockton, IL on Monday from 3 - 6 p.m.
The family would like to especially thank the medical staff at Javon Bea for their exceptional care.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Shady Oaks Camp, 16300 Parker Road, Homer Glen, IL 60491 or Rockford CASA, 211 S. Court St., Suite 258, Rockford, IL, 61101.
