Bart Maestranzi Obituary

Another year without you.

Another year missing you.

Another year without you.

I still miss you every day.

He was bigger than life and gone way to soon.

I can't believe he has been gone for almost 10 years. I loved him so much.

Dear Maestranzi Family,
I was so saddened to to learn of Mr. Maestranzi's passing. I'm still here in disbelief.

Mr. Maestranzi was such a wonderfully warm hearted man, the kind of person that most people only hope to come across once in their lifetime...I feel sincerely blessed to have known him.
Although I am thousands of miles away, I share your grief as I sit here writing you this note.
I can only send you my deepest sympathy and tell you that you are all in my thoughts and prayers at this sad time.

Fondly,

Claudia Chiappini Spediacci

To the Maestrazi Family ,
Our thoughts go out to all of you on the loss of Bart. Please know our thoughts and prayers go out to all of you.


Kurt, Christy, Jordan, Colleen, and Jamie Schmidt
Des Plaines, Il

To the Maestranzi Family,

I am so sorry to hear about Mr. Maestranzi's passing. I so fondly remember watching my little brother play on Bart's championship teams. When I talked to my brother (Erik, or RICO after Bart renamed him to sound more Italian)and told him of Bart passing and I also talked with another friend from the team it really struck me that they said the same exact thing "playing on his team were some of the best memories of my life". That really sums it up right there! Bart always had a way of making each team member feel special. My whole family loved him and those times of our lives were fantastic! I not only watched baseball, but when 12" started I was part of the first year for girls and played for many years and then went on to coach. Watching Bart coach was such an inspiration and he will be missed by all.

My best to the whole family,

Janet

So sad to hear about Bart, and I just heard two days before Christmas. All my best to Lexi and family, his loss touches not just family and friends, but reaches out to too many to even imagine, he touched everyone who ever met him. Sandy Hapkowskyj, Phoenix, AZ.

Dear Maestranzi Family,

I just learned about Mr. Maestranzi's death. I am deeply saddened.

Mr. Maestranzi was inextricably linked to the Park Ridge Wildcat baseball league. His enthusiastic and exuberant personality defined the program. I started umpiring Wildcat games in 1998 as a 13-year old. Mr. Maestranzi always had my back on the field and was a constant supporter. Many years later, I umpired for Mr. Maestranzi's grandchildren... a real full circle moment.

We had an ongoing, friendly "give and take." I will never forget the trust and respect he extended to me as a young teenager. I have nothing but fond and fun memories. When I think about summer baseball in Park Ridge, I will always think about Mr. Maestranzi.

Sincerely,

Gary Livacari

Dear Maestranzi Family, Our deepest sympathy to all. We have been friends for many years and will always have many great memories of Bart. The Raffaelli Family.

1980's and remembered this gentleman as one of the nicest persons ever to enter Thillens Stadium. Worked there
under Mel. Even the girls in the concession stand recognized how friendly he was towards everybody. As Mel used to say, "A man who always stood tall to stoop to help a boy."
I am sure he left his mark on hundreds of boys and girls he helped become men and women. He will be missed, but never forgotten. A person like him comes around a few times in life. God Bless his family.

Dear Diane and the entire Maestranzi family:
I know your brother, father, uncle grandpa and husband was such a gentle and honorable man full of love and loyalty for his family and community.I hope and pray for peace and solace for all of you.
MC

LORETTA , IM SO SORRY I WAS NOT ABEL TO ATTEND YOUR BROTHER'S WEAKE, I WAS HOPEING TO GO WITH WALLY ON FRIDAY , BUT I UNDERSTAND HE WENT SATURDAY.. I A'M SO SORRY FOR YOUR LOSE , HE JUST HAD TO BE A GREAT GUY ...
BOB

Bart was already serving on the Park Ridge Baseball Board of Directors when I joined the Board some 23+ years ago. Bart deservedly received a Park Ridge Baseball/Softball “Legends” Award this year and I assure Lexy and Family that the “legends” of Bart in Park Ridge Baseball will go on for decades. All of us on the Board and throughout Park Ridge Baseball have stories to tell of Bart’s antics on the field, in Board Meetings, at Registrations, Try Outs, Player Drafts, Thillens Stadium etc. Bart worked tirelessly for the youth of Park Ridge. Whatever needed to be done, Bart was willing to do!

If Bart knew you, then you were a target of his sense of humor at one time or another. Some of us many times over! Bart was a generous & good-hearted man.

Bart loved God, his family and his “good” friends. If you were a friend of Bart’s…you were a “good” friend. Whenever I will think of Bart, I will smile. What better effect on people could anybody ever ask for?

May The Lord’s Peace Be With Lexy and the entire Maestranzi Family!

May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived.

My deepest sympathy Alexa and Maestranzi family. You will be in my thoughts and prayers.

Elizabeth Maganzini-Wood

My son Nik and I were reminiscing about Bart's favorite "David" apon, his amusing Chinese alarm clock, his constant joking and good-humored teasing. We are grateful to be a friend of this most loving and extraordinary family and we wish for all of you the comfort, love and laughter he shared with all of us. See you in Tucson Lex.

The Maestranzi family is in our daily prayers...

peace and comfort,
Muellers

Dear Maestranzi Family,
We are very sorry for your loss. We will remeber Bart
in our quiet prayers and we wish the entire Maestranzi
family our best wishes for the future.
Fondly, Jack & Fran La Brasca

Dear Maria, Bart and Vince,
My deepest sympathy to each of you and your family on the loss of your father. Let your warm, loving memories of your father be your comfort during this difficult time. Mrs. Judy Marolda

Our very deepest sympathies to all the Maestranzi family for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.

Carol and Dennis Sassan

Dear Lexi and family,

We are so sorry to hear about Bart. He was such a gentleman and a wonderful neighbor, and we have great memories of our "driveway conversations."

You are in our thoughts and prayers.

Jim and Kristen McCarthy

Dear Connie,Adolph,Lisa And Family,
My deepest condolence to you and your family. I will have you in my thoughts and prayers.
Eva Bartell

I did not know Bart at all.But i remember as a small boy a Mr. Maestranzi pushing his cart with a foot powered grinder down our street sharpening knives for the housewives. On the west side of Chicago.. Karlov Ave. in the late 1930s. My condolences. Frank Mason Round Lake Beach,IL.

My deepest condolences to Lexi and family. I didn't know Bart long but he was a wonderful, funny and caring man. Heaven has another Angel now.
Kristy Rusch

To the Maestranzi Family,

Our thoughts and prayers go out to your family during this difficult time. Losing the foundation of your family is certainly difficult but know that he's looking down on you with pride.

I was very saddend to hear about the loss of Bart a true genuine individual. A great loss not only to his family and friends but to our town and our volunteer sports programs. I know of the countless tireless volunteer hours he devoted to the sports programs and the youth of our community. I am sure he is now in a place that receives volunteers warmly and is being well taken care of for his time and efforts which he deserves. He will be in our thoughts and I am sure his name will come up for years to come.
John Dunton

Vince and Gina & Family ,
Please accept our most heartfelt sympathies for your loss…our thoughts are with you and your family during this difficult time.

To the entire Maestranzi family,
To Know Mr. Maestranzi was immediately to love him. As a coach and as a friend. He coached my family and wether it was on the ball field at the grocery store or in the back room at Kell'ys meat market where he was dropping off knives , mine included ; I have the utmost respect for a wonderful man who loved and was loved by so many especially me. He has taught us so much about what true sportsmanship and friendship is..He will be sorely missed. I wish your family strength and peace as you go through this time. I know he would want you guys to be strong as he would all of us, Please know that you are in our prayers. God bless you all . Randy Malin and Family.

Our thoughts and prayers are with your entire family. Bart's warm spirit and open heart touched many lives. He would fill the room with laughter and love. We feel very fortunate and blessed to be able to call him our friend. The Kubic's

To my dear cousins, Vince and Gina, and the entire Maestranzi Family,
We are so saddened to hear of the passing of your beloved father/husband. May the Lord surround you in His love during this most difficult time. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Love, Jan,Joe, Michelle, Ryan and Melissa

My sincere sympathies to the Maestranzi family. I hope you will feel comfort during your time of sadness knowing that our thoughts are with you.
I have never seen Bart without a smile on his face. Glad I had the opportunity to have known him.

Our deepest sympathy to the Maestranzi family. May Mr. Maestranzi rest in eternal peace.

The McAndrew Family
St. Juliana

I wish I could be there in person. Please know you are all in my heart.

I will always remember Mr. Maestranzi’s legendary story about when I broke his finger and how theatrical he would get telling the story to my boys. I will never forget the many, vivid memories of PR baseball because of him. He was a great man.

My deepest condolences.
David “Moose” Malin AKA Bakala

May God wrap his loving arms around all of you and comfort you at this sad time. We send our deepest sympathy, our love and our prayers to all the Maestranzi's.

I wish I could be there in person. Please know you are all in my heart.

I will always remember Mr.Maestranzi’s legendary story about when I broke his finger and how theatrical he would get telling the story to my boys. I will never forget the many, vivid memories of PR Baseball because of him. He was a great man.

My deepest condolences.
David “Moose” Malin AKA Bakala

Our deepest condolences to the family. God Bless You All.

On behalf of the entire Park Ridge Baseball/Softball family, we offer our deepest sympathy.

Bart was a tireless volunteer who touched 100's of young lives with his extraordinary ability to coach and teach.

"Mr. M." will be sorely missed.

Garry Abezetian
Commissioner
Park Ridge Baseball/Softball

We are all sadden by Bart's death. Our deepest condolences to the family
Tony (Flip) and Linda Filippini.

To Alexa, Connie, Adolph, Loretta and Diane, my deepest sympathies to Bart's family. I've known most of you for most of my life. You are part of my extended family and I share your sorrow. Bart was a friendly, caring person. He is at peace now-may the same be for you.

jackie

Offering our deepest condolences during this difficult time.