Rockford - Vito J. Dangelo, 93, of Rockford died at Rosewood Care Center on Wednesday, May 9, 2012. Born on June 3, 1918 in Rockford, the son of Anthony and Elizabeth (Smeraldi) Dangelo. Graduated from Rockford High School in 1936. He married Gladys Sandreen in 1944; she died on October 1, 2005. Vito was employed by Cotta Transmission as an engineer for 42 years. He was a well-known big band alto saxophone player for 70 years, playing with Bill Engberg, Kay Howard and others as well as the RVC Old Towne Band in recent years. He was active playing the sax until November, 2011 when illness forced him to put his beloved sax away. He received the Lifetime Achievement Award from RAMI on April 13, 2012. He was a member of St. Anthony Church.

He is survived by his three children, Carey of Sacramento, California, Cynthia Manalli of Mesa, Arizona and James of Phoenix, Arizona; numerous grandchildren and nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his parents, wife, brothers, Anthony and Joseph, and sisters, Anna Martorana and Frances. Special thanks to nephew and niece, Jerry and Bridget Dangelo of Rockford who tended to Vito's needs in the past 8 months.

Memorial service will be at 11:00am on Tuesday, May 15, 2012 in Honquest Family Funeral Home with Crematory, Rockford Chapel, 4311 N. Mulford Road. In lieu of flowers, memorials to the family.