Rockford businessman, mentor Antonino ‘Tony' Artale dies at 71

Ken DeCoster
Rockford Register Star
Rockford businessman Tony Artale died Friday from COVID-19 complications, according to his family.

ROCKFORD — Antonino “Tony” Artale of Rockford was a devoted family man whose lifelong passion for soccer can be traced to his boyhood in Roccamena, southwest of Palermo, Sicily. 

Artale was also a successful businessman, philanthropist, mentor, and problem solver and a doting grandfather, according to friends.

Artale, 71, died Friday from COVID-19 complications.

His grieving family included a simple and rather direct request in Artale’s obituary: “Wear a f**cking mask, wash your hands and keep your distance,” until the pandemic is over. 

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As a child in Italy, Artale dreamed of becoming a professional soccer player until his family moved to the United States when he was 14.

Artale never did shake his thick Italian accent, said David “Corky” Castegnaro, a Rockford attorney and lifelong friend.

“He still talks like he just got off the boat. I used to jack him all of the time about that,” Castegnaro said. “I said, ‘You know, Tony, it’s about time you start speaking damn English. The reason people think you’re so nice and you never say anything bad about anybody is they can’t understand you.’”

Artale worked in the liquor business his entire life, starting at a grocery store as a teenager, co-owning a distribution company and, in 2008, establishing Artale Wine Co., 6876 Spring Creek Road, with his son, Anthony.

Gruno’s Diamonds President Brent Meade met Artale in 1975 and the two remained close.

“We’d talk about our families, we’d talk about our businesses. He and I shared a lot of similar customers,” Meade said. “He sat on my boat or on my deck with my wife and I and had dinner I don’t know how many times. It was always just a thrill to have him over. Of course, he’d be the entertainment. He was a friend to so many people in this town. It really is hard to describe all of the fun and all of the things we did.”

Through his business, Artale was able to help numerous local charities by holding fundraisers or donating wines, said Linda Dennis, development director for Shelter Care Ministries of Rockford.

“Tony was a very generous man to a lot of organizations in the community,” Dennis said. “He was a caring person who really wanted to give back to his community and did give back to his community. That was just his nature and he had that rapport with so many people. This was just a shock.”

Artale pursued his love for soccer through coaching and was always on hand to watch his children’s and grandchildren’s games.

“He wanted them to succeed and they were and it’s just so sad,” Castegnaro said. “And he had a lot to do with it because he was a hell of a soccer player and he just mentored them and coached them. He was not overbearing. He would just offer little side comments and that’s the saddest thing about it.”

When not working or driving his grandchildren to soccer practice, Artale enjoyed recommending a good bottle of wine, dining with friends and traveling. 

In 2000, Artale took his family to Sicily to see his boyhood home. 

Artale is survived by his wife of 45 years, Lucy, whom he met while attending a soccer game; daughter Susie (Ryan) Fritz; son Anthony (girlfriend Alyssa Rehn) Artale; grandchildren Alyas and Izze Fritz and “Baby A,” due in May; sisters, Rose (Leo) Ciaccio and Maria (Bill) Mullen; brother Joe (Linda) Artale; nephews Nino Ciaccio and Billy (Kerry) Mullen; and many more beloved relatives in Italy.

Private family services will be held.

Once COVID-19 restrictions are lifted, a celebration of Tony Artale’s life will be held on a soccer field, his family said.

Ken DeCoster:; @DeCosterKen