Obituary of Stephen Corrao Stephen F. Corrao “Steve” Stephen F. Corrao passed away on Sunday, October 14, 2018, at Sunny Hill Nursing Home, at the age of 76. Steve was born in Salem, MA, on December 13, 1941, the son of Andrew and Katherine (nee Kucker) Corrao. He received his Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Tampa.
The Executive Director of the George Werden Buck Boys and Girls Club for over 40 years, Steve has been a resident of Joliet since 1970. He dedicated his career to being an advocate for disadvantaged youth. Under his guidance, the Club received a grant for the establishment of 21st Century Community Learning Centers, which provided tutoring and after school programs at Hufford, Washington, Laraway, Isaac Singleton and A.O. Marshall Schools.
The purpose of the program was to raise the test scores of the students in reading and math. A total of 500 students received assistance on a daily basis at these five sites. Steve had an impressive career over the past 43 years.
He served as president of Agencies United, serving also on the United Way of Will County Board of Directors. Co-founder and the first president of Joliet Alliance for youth, Steve was the recipient of the Lewis University/Zorich Lifetime Achievement Award in 2003, which recognizes an individual who fosters a sense of caring, and which crosses boundaries between community members. In May of 2010, he was awarded an Outstanding Image Award in the area of Youth Services by Branch #3018 of the Joliet NAACP.
A certified official in the IHSA in three sports, football, basketball and baseball, Steve officiated at many sporting events in Joliet and throughout the State of Illinois. Steve is survived by his loving wife of 35 years, Lynne (nee Erath) Corrao; his children, Kristen (Patrick) Thelander of Studio City, CA, Brant Connelly of Joliet and Ryan Connelly of Frankfort; and five grandchildren, Alexis, Quinn and Campbell Connelly and Eleanor and Benjamin Thelander. He is preceded in death by his parents.
The family would like to extend a sincere thank you to the nursing staff at Sunny Hill Nursing Home and to the Joliet Area Community Hospice for the care and compassion shown to Stephen. Funeral Services for Stephen F. Corrao will be held on Saturday, October 20, 2018, at 10:00 a.m., at the Fred C. Dames Funeral Home, 3200 Black at Essington Rds. , Joliet, IL.
Interment will follow at Wheatland Township Cemetery, Naperville, IL. Visitation will be held on Friday from 4:00 until 8:00 p.m. Memorials in his name to the Boys and Girls Club of Joliet, 226 E Clinton St, Joliet, IL 60432, would be appreciated. For more information, please call 815-741-5500 or visit his Memorial Tribute at www.
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