Robert G. Buttala

Robert G. “Bob” Buttala Jr., 62, of Tinley Park, Illinois, passed away peacefully after a courageous two-year battle with pancreatic cancer.

Beloved husband of Virginia “Virgie” Buttala (née Dombrowski), Bob was the loving father of Caroline (Zack) Smith, Justice (Alyssa) Buttala, and AJ Buttala. He was the dear brother of Michael (Judi) Buttala and the late Ann (Bob) Sanfilippo, and the cherished son of the late Robert “Papa Jack” Buttala and the late Betty Buttala. He was also a caring nephew to Alexis (Roger) Leggero, Bob (the late Peggy) Schneider, and Betty (Kenny) Angotti, and a devoted uncle to Mason, Joe, and Nino Sanfilippo, and Mitchell and Davis Buttala.

Bob and Virgie met through the Dombrowski family, as he had been best friends with two of her brothers, Mark and Pat. Several years after college, with the blessing of the Dombrowski family, he finally asked Virgie out. In time he became a true Dombrowski, loved by the entire family and embraced as an uncle, cousin, and brother to many.

A high school mathematics teacher, Bob proudly served the Tinley Park community as a volunteer firefighter and later retired as a fire inspector. His greatest joy, however, was being a devoted stay-at-home father, fully dedicating himself to raising his children and supporting their dreams. He and Virgie took early retirement and spent three winters in Cocoa Beach, Florida. In the time after his diagnosis in July 2024, he openly shared his journey with family and friends, facing his illness with grace, strength, and courage. Bob will be deeply missed by his large and loving extended family and the many circles of friends from his school days, the University of Illinois, the Tinley Park Fire Department, his Indy Jacks community, and the Eiche Turner Society, where he proudly served as past president.