Samuel John Coniglio Cornelius

SAMULEL JOHN CONIGLIO CORNELIUS, 94 Samuel John Coniglio Cornelius, 94 of Rockford took the Lords Hand on March 5, 2007. Sam was born in Donaldsonville, LA on October 3 1912 to Benjamin and Angelena (Guzzardo) Coniglio. Sam was one of eight brothers and sisters and came to Rockford when he was a young boy. Sam worked for many years at barber Coleman and retired in 1976. He never met a stranger and was a friend to all. Every Saturday night, he and his wife Mary would go dancing. They were married for 65 years. Sam was affectionately known to family and friends as "Soft Shoe Sam" . Sam was a member of the Holy Name Society, Knights of Columbus and was a member of St. Edward Catholic Church since 1949. He is survived by his wife Mary (Lynch) Coniglio Cornelius, sons Ben Coniglio and John Coniglio. Daughters margay Alpiser, Mary Jane Larsen and Cathy Pendola. He had eight grandchildren and nine great grandchildren. Special thanks to Kersti "Gertrude" Svensson, his caretaker for the past 2 years. Funeral will be at 10:00 AM Saturday, March 10, 2007 in St. Edward Catholic Church, 3004 11th Street, with Fr. Nicholas Federspiel officiating. Visitation from 5-7 Friday, March 9 in Fitzgerald Funeral Home and Crematory, Mulford Chapel, 1860 S. Mulford Road and from 9 AM until time of Mass Saturday in the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials would be appreciated to St. Edward Church. Online condolences may be sent to the family at fitzgeraldfh.com