Fred & Irene

THE FRED BENCRISCUTTO
&
IRENE FIRTKO FAMILY

From the growing and powerful flow of life created by Ma and Pa, a tributary made its way from the main stream to run its own course. The new life began on November 1, 1924, a day endowed with significance, "All Saints Day." I was named Frederick and baptized in Sacred Heart Church. The growing years are not well remembered. The earliest life experiences I can recall were painful. I remember my fourth grade teacher pulling my hair until I cried and a slap on the face in fifth grade. For two years I didn't attend church because one day I was asked to stand up in the middle of the congregation during a sermon. There were other, more pleasant memories.

I recall sleeping three in a bed. The bathroom toilet was all the way down in our basement. Ma's cooking was fantastic and I have fond memories of our family sitting down at the big table in the basement that sat 12, and feasting on a huge bowl of homemade pasta. I felt the warm kinship that bonded our family together. I remember the wine-making days of stomping the grapes in our bare feet. Christmas and Easter were special times with Ma walking around the Easter table extending her hand for each of us to kiss. One by one, we would get up and move to where Pa was sitting and kiss his hand as a gesture of love and respect.

We had a bountiful garden which required work but it produced abundantly. Pa brought home mushrooms and Ma had to prepare them for cooking by using her red-hot stove poker. We went fishing and brought home buckets of perch. I peddled papers and was chased by ferocious dogs. On my route was a funeral home where they gave me cookies and fruit. I remember not being able to play basketball at Washington Jr. High. In high school, however, athletics absorbed most of my time outside of classes. I played football, basketball and golf all three years while attending Horlick. Upon graduation I received the Athlete of the Class award.

World War II drew three of my brothers and me into active military service. I was sent to basic training in California and on to Texas for maneuvers, then on to New Jersey. From there we shipped off to France, Germany and Belgium when the war ended. From Czechoslovakia to Munich, for the War Crimes Trials. Then on to France for more maneuvers. When the Japanese surrendered I was back home before I knew what happened. Now, what do I do with the rest of my life?

I worked at Dodges Bar and attended summer school at the University Extension in Racine. From there to Madison and the University of Wisconsin where I studied and played golf and basketball for the Badgers. Then, one of the most significant events in my life. I went to a softball game. There I met Irene Firtko. Several dates later love was in the air and on June 17, 1950, Irene and I were married. We meant and lived out our vows to love and cherish until death do us part. I applied for and was accepted for a teaching and coaching job at Hall High School in Spring Valley, Illinois. The challenges of life continued with the birth of our son, Mark, on March 25, 1952.

Through teaching, coaching and raising a family we continued to move forward and grow. Our son Fred was born on October 28, 1953. Change is part of living and a teaching change moved me to Maine East High school in Des Plaines, IL. There our first girl, Renee, was born on December 17, 1957, followed by Roxane on April 4, 1964. With her birth, my marvelous "Million Dollar" family was complete. As our children grew and matured we were filled with pride and love, although challenged with usual illnesses, injuries, and educational concerns. Through it all we established moral standards for living that we hope benefited our children as they matured through the years. The passage of time brought more changes.

A Masters Degree led to a promotion. I became Dean of Students and faced new challenges in my vocational endeavors.   I retired from the public education in 1989.

On the home front, Mark was married to Sue LeForge on March 11, 1972. Fred graduated from Western Illinois University and settled into his first teaching job followed by his marriage to Claudia Drake on June 19, 1976.

Renee' graduated from Illinois State University and began her teaching career.  Roxane, too, graduated from Illinois State, initially entered education, but leaving for a career in private business.

Michelle, our first grandchild, was born to Mark and Sue on July 18, 1978, followed by the wonderful news of our second grandchild born to Fred and Claudia.

I'm sure that time will bring more changes to our family but we are ready to accept them, accepting the good things that happen with gratitude and learning from our mistakes. The important thing is that we all learn to live in the will of God and to extend our hand in love to our fellow man.

FRED & IRENE'S FAMILY

FRED

Born: 11-1-1924
Died: 9-19-1990
Vocation: High School Administrator, Pro at Hillcrest Country Club for 23 years
Activities: Love for Family, Golf, bowling, interest in all sports

IRENE

Born: 1-10-1926

Vocation: Homemaker
Activities: Golf, bowling, dancing, volleyball
Phone: 847-537-0523
Address: 8 Crestview Terrace Buffalo Grove, IL 60089

FRED AND IRENE'S CHILDREN

THE MARK BENCRISCUTTO &

SUE LEFORGE FAMILY

MARK

Born: 3-25-1952

Vocation: Engineer with Ameritech, Retired
Activities: Golf, bowling, horse shoes, fitness
Phone: 501-922-4650
Address: 11 Arzon Circle   Hot Springs, AR  71909

SUE

Born: 1-3-1952

Vocation:
Activities: Golf, bowling, fitness
Phone: 501-922-4650
Address: 11 Arzon Circle   Hot Springs, AR  71909

MARK & SUE'S CHILD

MICHELLE

Born: 7-18-1978
Vocation: Attending school
Activities: Softball, volleyball, music
Phone: 630-365-5334
Address:

THE FRED BENCRISCUTTO
&
CLAUDIA DRAKE FAMILY

FRED

Born: 10-28-1953
Vocation: Teacher,  Chairman: Social Studies Dept.,  Dundee-Crown High School, Retired
Currently: Para-Professional and baseball coach at Cary-Grove High School
Activities: Family, physical fitness, reading, music, sports, good cigars
Phone: 815-479-0348
E-Mail: fbenc@hotmail.com
Address: 3601 Thunderbird Lane  Prarie Grove, IL  60012

CLAUDIA

Born: 2-5-1953
Vocation: Self employed small business owner,
Activities: Taking care of our family, volunteer work, fitness, cooking, reading
Phone: 815-479-0348
Address: 3601 Thunderbird Lane  Prairie Grove, IL  60012

FRED & CLAUDIA'S CHILDREN

NICK

Born: 5-19-1979
Vocation:
Activities:
Phone:
Address:

MIKE

Born: 4-27-1983
Vocation: 
Activities: 
Phone:
Address:

RENEE' BENCRISCUTTO 

RENEE'

Born: 12-17-1957    Died: 3-14-2011
Vocation: 8th Grade Language Arts Teacher, Coach, Cary Jr. High School
Activities: Raising Connor, Photography, fashion, crafts, interior design

Renee is greatly missed by her family and friends.  She is at peace and with her loved ones who preceded her from this life.

RENEE'S SON:

CONNOR
Born: 4-20-1994
Vocation: Student at Colorado State University
Activities: Studies, Snowboarding, long boarding, life guard
Phone:
Address:

ROXANE BENCRISCUTTO

ROXANE

Born: 4-4-1964
Vocation: Information Services, ADP (Automatic Data Processing) Schaumburg, IL
Activities:
Phone: 
Address: 72 Talismon  Crystal Lake, IL 60012