'Simply The Best Guy': Services Set For Oak Forest Taxpayer Advocate

OAK FOREST, IL — Visitation and funeral arrangements have been set for beloved, longtime Oak Forest taxpayer advocate Guy Gattone.

Gattone, 84, died April 4. Having served in his elected position for 12 years, Gattone was ready to take on another term, as the lone candidate on the ballot. In addition to his 12 years as taxpayer advocate, Gattone also served as a parks commissioner for 24 years, officials said.

Gattone is survived by Marilyn, his wife of 62 years. The couple had four children, and Gattone was grandfather to 12. He was one of five children born to his parents Charles and Elizabeth Gattone, who both preceded him in death.

In a lovingly written obituary, family paid tribute to their favorite Guy.

Gattone's roots were on the South Side, where he was raised by his Italian immigrant parents, according to the obituary. Guy "began working at age 14, driving for a grocer earning money to help build a garage for his parents' home," the obituary reads. He attended St. Christina School and was later the prom king at St. Willibrord High School.

Gattone and wife Marilyn met while both working at grocer Jewel in Mount Greenwood. They were married in 1960 and moved to Oak Forest seven years later. Gattone became a staple in Oak Forest, serving at St. Damian Church as an usher and bingo caller for decades, and also as a lifelong member and former officer of the St. Damian Men's Club, his obituary reads. He umpired and coached Oak Forest Little League baseball and refereed flag football over a period of 12 years, according to his obituary.

Gattone's resume included a long career in insurance and later taxpayer assistance; he served on the Cook County Board of Review, assisting residents with tax appeals until he retired at 77.

His family wrote that Guy "taught us—by example—the importance of hard work, having fun, service, forgiveness, generosity, and God's love."

He could tell a joke like no one else, and memories of his quick wit will leave us smiling for years to come. He was the (self-proclaimed) reigning ping pong champion of Oak Forest, and many have fond memories of swimming in his backyard pool, playing wiffle ball on his driveway, dancing to his jukebox, or joining in card games in his basement. He was simply the best Guy, and he will be dearly missed.

— Guy Gattone's obituary

Visitation will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, April 11, at McKenzie Funeral Home, 15618 S. Cicero Ave. A funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, April 12, at St. Damian Church, 5300 W. 155th St., Oak Forest, IL. Interment St. Mary's, 87th St. & Hamlin Ave., Evergreen Park. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the St. Damian Church Food Pantry (www.StDamianChurch.org) or to Cubs Charities (www.MLB.com/Cubs/Community/Cubs-Charities/Donate).