ROCKFORD, IL — Businessman, quiet philanthropist and beloved family man Joseph Scandroli Sr., has died at age 84.
Known as “Big Joe” to those close to him, Scandroli and his younger brother, the late Carl Scandroli, took the reins of Scandroli Construction Co. when their father, Raymond Scandroli, died unexpectedly in 1976.
Together they not only held the family business founded by his grandfather in 1907 together, but helped it thrive, shaping the city of Rockford through countless construction projects over the decades. Today, Scandroli is a fourth-generation family business led by Scandroli’s son, Joseph Scandroli Jr.
“When they took the company over, they were relatively young guys who were dealing with … just a lot of headwinds, from clients who had questions about whether these young guys were going to be able to make it,” Scandroli Jr. said. “If you think about it from that regard, they moved the company forward a great deal.”
Scandroli was a tough, hardworking, straightshooter who never hesitated to quietly lend a hand to those in need, said those who knew him. He was called “Big Joe” not only because of his physical presence, but also because of his big personality and to distinguish him from his son and namesake who had taken over the company after he semi-retired in 2014.
“Everybody has a ‘Big Joe’ story but the common theme is his generosity,” Scandroli Jr. said.
Scandroli never fully retired and remained a presence at the company on a daily basis even after his son took over leadership.
Known for their work for the Catholic Diocese of Rockford, projects included Holy Family Church, St. Anne’s Place, Boylan Catholic High School, St. Bridget Catholic Church in Loves Park and St. Joseph Catholic Church in Freeport.
Scandroli also had a hand in many notable Rockford in buildings. Those include what is now the BMO Center, the Winnebago County Justice Center, Hilander grocery stores, the Rockford Mass Transit District expansion, Rockford airport expansion and the new Rockford Public Library among many others.
A bricklayer and member of the Bricklayers Local No. 6, Scandroli graduated high school from St. Thomas School for Boys in Rockford in 1960 and graduated from St. Ambrose University where he majored in political science in 1964 before later attending Chicago Technical College.
He was married to his wife, Carolyn, who people know as “Cookie,” for 61 years. He was the father of four, had 10 grandchildren and a great-granddaughter.
Kevin Frost, a Rockford attorney and alderman, said Scandroli was a man of deep faith who attended mass daily. Frost said Scandroli was for many years his friend and mentor.
“He taught me so many lessons about how to treat people, how to be fair, how to forgive people, to always strive to do the right thing,” Frost said. “He was such a great man to so many people. He was never looking for credit. He helped so many people quietly, whether it was the homeless people in Rockford who he would stop to buy food or give them clothes. Always helping the downtrodden.”
Former Winnebago County State’s Attorney Paul Logli said Scandroli was a cousin whose company during his time in office was the construction manager of the Rockford Public Safety Building.
“Joe was a very straightforward guy. He told you what he was thinking and I think he was a no-nonsense businessman who helped to grow the business after his dad passed on,” Logli said. “In my experience, when you dealt with Scandroli, there were no games going on, they were straightforward and they did a quality job. And that’s a reflection of Joe Sr.”
Scandroli died July 10. A funeral mass for is planned at 10 a.m. July 17 at Saint Bridget Catholic Church, 600 Clifford Ave. in Loves Park. Visitation is from 3 to 7 p.m. July 16 at Saint Bridget.
Jeff Kolkey writes about government, economic development and other issues for the Rockford Register Star. He can be reached via email at jkolkey@rrstar.com and on X @jeffkolkey.
This article originally appeared on Rockford Register Star: Rockford builder ‘Big Joe’ Scandroli remembered for his generosity
Reporting by Jeff Kolkey, Rockford Register Star / Rockford Register Star
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By Jeff Kolkey, Rockford Register Star | USA TODAY Network
