Carpenters Union Local 13

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IN MEMORIUM – LEO CONFORTI

Leopoldo “Leo” Conforti

1943 – 2025

Leo Conforti, a man whose life was a testament to hard work and family, passed away peacefully on the morning of August 25th, 2025 in Schaumburg, IL at the age of 82.

Born in Rende, Cosenza in the region of Calabria Italy, Leo’s journey was one of great ambition. At just 21 years old, he bravely left his hometown to come to the United States, fueled by the hope of building a better life. Along his path, he met his beloved wife, Emma, with whom he shared a life full of love in their long-time home in Schaumburg.

Leo was a proud and dedicated member of United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America (Local Union 13). He took immense pride in his craft. His work friends were not just colleagues but an extended family who shared in his successes and supported him throughout his career.

After his well-deserved retirement, Leo found great joy and peace in his gardening, he was an avid cook and enjoyed spending some of his free time at the casino. AND spoiling his grandchildren! He would obsess over his meticulously cared-for bean and tomato plants, a passion that brought him quiet contentment. Leo was known for his generous spirit and a garage full of tools; he always had a helping hand or the perfect tool to lend to anyone who needed it.

Leo Conforti is survived by his devoted wife of 53 years, Emma Conforti, and his loving daughters, Marilena Conforti and Rosa (Michael) Pavlovsky, and his cherished grandchildren, Sophia and Nicholas Pavlovsky, who will forever carry his memory in their hearts. He was proceeded in death by his beloved son, Frank Conforti.

Vistitation will be held at 3PM-8PM on Friday, August 29th at Salerno’s Rosedale Chapels in Roselle

Chapel Services will be held at 10:30AM on Saturday, August 30th at Salerno’s Rosedale Chapels in Roselle.

Procession and Entombment to follow at Queen of Heaven Catholic Cemetery in Hillside.

IN MEMORIUM – Ismael Camacho, Sr.

Ismael Camacho, Sr., age 74, passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday August 26, 2025, in Keshena. He was born on November 17, 1950, in Baja California, Mexico to the late Carlos Camacho and Margarita Chavez. Ismael moved to Chicago in his early twenties. He worked multiple jobs until finally becoming a member of the local 13 Chicago Carpenter Union. He worked also part-time at the North Ave Day Nursery as their head engineer as well as for Bickerdike and Stromberg Construction companies. He was united in marriage to Kathryn Waukau on August 23, 2003. In his free time, he enjoyed fishing and hunting. He was a social man with many friends and shared his life stories with everyone. Ismael built a strong, loving family on the Menominee Reservation. He was a stern but fair father that loved his children. He was helpful, considerate and treated everyone like family. He would always say “Treat the little ones good because they will always remember how you treated them.” And that love was always returned tenfold. He was an amazing father, grandfather, and husband and he will be deeply missed.

Ismael is survived by: his wife Kathryn Waukau Camacho; his children, Ismael Camacho Jr., Carlos Camacho, Juan (Clarissa Ignacio) Ramos, Jesenia (Vaughn Watts) Camacho Watts, and Celia (Joshua Kowalczyk) Camacho Kowalczyk; grandchildren, Angelica, Ismael Elias, Azucel, Alyssa, Emiliana, Oliver, Xavier, Damien, Zoey, Gabriella, Giordana, Dylan, Willa, Isidoro, Celio, Zoe, and Collette; great-grandchildren, Jordan and Jailyn; brothers, Joel, Gilberto, Juan, and Cesar and sisters, Lucia, Rebecca, Libia, Elba and Esther. He is further survived by many cousins, other relatives and friends.

Ismael is preceded in death by his parents; and brothers, Carlos and Elias, and two other brothers in infancy.

A family run memorial gathering will be held at St. Michaels Parish Hall in Keshena starting on Friday August 29, 2025, from 10:00 am to 10:00 pm and again on Saturday from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm.