David "Dave" Hawkinson

David “Dave” Hawkinson, 74, Rockford, passed away peacefully in his home on April 30, 2023. He was born in Rockford, Illinois on February 10, 1949, to Daryl and Stella (Brudnowski) Hawkinson. He is a graduate of Auburn High School, class of 1967. Dave received a Bachelor's degree from Western Illinois University and Master’s degree from Northern Illinois University. He played football at both Auburn High School and Western Illinois University and was a proud member of both Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity and Phi Delta Kappa International. He married the love of his life, Rosann Smykay in Rockford on August 22, 1970, at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church, and are current parishioners at Holy Family Catholic Church. He worked for Rockford Public School District 205 as a teacher, coach, and principal, retiring in 2005. He didn’t let retirement last long and began employment that fall with the Diocese of Rockford Catholic Schools. He served as principal at St. Joseph Elementary School in Freeport; St. Bridget Catholic School in Rockford, and then returned to work at Freeport Aquin High School until his retirement in June of 2022. Dave always felt his employment with the Diocese was a true blessing and he cherished the friendships that he formed with the wonderful administrators, staff, parents and students.

He will be remembered by his family as a loving and supportive husband, father and grandfather, always there for his children whether it be encouraging them to do their best or coaching their various soccer teams through the years, attending their games and his grandchildren’s games and activities.

Dave will be missed by those who loved him most, his wife of 52 years, Rosann; his children Dana (Karen Johnson) Hawkinson and Amy (Matt) Marver; grandchildren Wyatt and Caroline Hawkinson, Anthony “AJ”, Joshua and Alison Marver; sisters-in-law Cindy (Brad Seago) Hawkinson and Connie (Tom) O’Connell; brother-in-law Ronnie (Cyndi DalFratello) Smykay; nieces and nephews Nicholas (Samatha) Hawkinson, Michael (Abbigale) Hawkinson, Ron (Chris) Smykay, Tracy Smykay Wallin, Debbie (Chris) Walker, Sheryl Simms and Liz (Jim) Walters and their families; his Aunt Helen and Uncle Roger Myers and numerous cousins.

He was predeceased by his parents Daryl and Stella; brother Dennis Hawkinson; in-laws Joe and Rose Smykay, grandparents Nels and Hilda Hawkinson and Joe and Mary Brudnowski and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, and beloved family pets.

The family would like to thank Dr. Alaeddin Maeza, Dr. Joycelyn Speight and the staff at SwedishAmerican Regional Cancer; SwedishAmerican 7th floor staff, Heart Hospital 3rd floor CCU staff, along with Unity Hospice for their kind and compassionate care of Dave.

A visitation will take place on Wednesday, May 17, 2023, from 4:30 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. at Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory, 1860 S. Mulford Road, Rockford, Illinois. Visitation will continue on Thursday, May 18, 2023 at 9:30 a.m. until the time of Funeral Mass, 11:00 a.m. at Holy Family Catholic Church, 4401 Highcrest Road, Rockford, IL 61107. Burial to follow at Calvary Catholic Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to either Corpus Christi Monastery of the Poor Clares, 2111 S. Main Street, Rockford, IL 61102 or to Aquin Catholic Schools, 1419 South Galena, Freeport, IL 61032. To send online condolences or share memories, please visit www.fitzgeraldfh.com