Michael Paul Alongi March 29, 1951 – March 16, 2019 Michael Paul Alongi, age 67, passed away on March 16, 2019, at the CGH Medical Center in Sterling with his family at his side. He was born on March 29, 1951 in Geneva, IL, the son of Paul and Mary Jane (Carew) Alongi, who both preceded him in death. After graduating from Rochelle Township High School in 1969, Mike attended Northern Illinois University, where he majored in political science and was a member of the Phi Sigma Kappa Fraternity.
Mike was very accomplished in his professional career and his commitment to public service. He was a licensed realtor with Flagg Realty in Rochelle. He served as Executive Director of the Rochelle Chamber of Commerce and later as Executive Director of the Venice California Chamber of Commerce.
Upon returning to Rochelle, Mike worked at Northern Illinois University in the maintenance department and also tutored high school and college students in mathematics. Mike’s public service included serving as Legislative Aide to Illinois Senator John B. Roe. He was elected as the youngest Chairman of Ogle County Board.
Since 2009, after suffering a debilitating stroke, Mike received care from the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, QLI of Omaha, NE, and Winning Wheels of Prophetstown, IL, where he resided from 2012 up to the time of his passing. Mike’s public service began at a young age as a Red Cross certified Senior Lifeguard and Water Safety Instructor at Spring Lake and the Rochelle Country Club. He also was very active in the Kiwanis sponsored Key Club service organization all during high school.
Mike exhibited great commitment to the youth of his community through his tutoring efforts. Mike was a master of overcoming any physical challenges. He was an avid golfer achieving a very low handicap that culminated with his winning the Father Son Country Club Golf Championship with his Dad, in Rochelle.
Mike excelled in baseball, as an outfielder and maintained a remarkable batting average. He played varsity football for the “Fighting Hubs”. Even though Mike struggled with his short term memory after his stroke, he retained his long term memory and was able to recall and talk about people from his early childhood to the time of his stroke.
Mike’s favorite pastimes included reading, politics, the New York Times crossword puzzles, as well as a great curiosity and challenge in solving complicated mathematical and statistical equations. Mike dearly loved his family and always included the words “I love you” in any conversation with family, friends and his health care providers. Mike’s nieces and nephews affectionately called him “Mr. Mike”.
Mike is survived by his two brothers: Richard Alongi of Santa Rosa, CA and Philip (Mary) Alongi of San Clemente, CA; and four sisters: Tina (Jim) Canham of Chicago, Melissa (Floyd) Page of Naperville, Claudia (Michael) Meath of Rochelle, and Barbara Matsumoto (Jeff) of Dearborn, MI; and 12 nieces and nephews: Emilie Alongi, Hannah Alongi and Joseph Tobias Alongi; Christine Alongi, Angela (Steve) Kreh, and Tone (Kaitlyn) Alongi; Kylene (Derek) Barnett and Karen Canham; Drew Page and Sam Page; and Carly (Rick) Daugherty and Jeri (Chris) Reeder. Visitation will be on Friday, March 22, 2019, from 5 – 7 pm at the Unger Horner Funeral Home, 400 N. 6th Street, Rochelle, IL. A Funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 am on Saturday, March 23, 2019, at St. Patrick Catholic Church, 236 Kelley Drive, Rochelle, IL, officiated by Father Ruben Herrera, with an internment at St. Patrick Catholic Cemetery immediately following.
The family would like to extend their great appreciation and thanks to all of Mike’s care providers at the various facilities where Mike resided after his stroke and to the doctors, nurses and staff of CGH Medical Center in Sterling, IL, and especially to our Aunt Karen and Uncle David Burke for watching over Mike during his one year residency at QLI rehabilitation center in Omaha, NE. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Winning Wheels, 701 E. Third Street, Prophetstown, IL, 61277; Shirley Ryan Ability Lab, Attn: Advancement, 355 East Erie, Chicago, IL 60611 (formerly the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago); QLI, 6404 N. 70th Plaza, Omaha, NE 68014; or St. Patrick’s Church, 236 Kelley Drive, Rochelle, Illinois. Guest book at www.
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