Andrea Madonia

Andrea passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by family and music. He was a loving husband, father, nonno/grandfather, bisnonno/great-grandfather, son, brother and uncle.

Andrea was born in Monreale, Sicily and worked on his family giardino/farm which ignited a love and respect for the land, plants, animals and nature. Music held a special place in Andrea’s heart. His interest was sparked by a maestro who was visually impaired who mentored him in his early years and from there he taught himself and learned to play by ear. He played many different instruments but rarely was he seen without his favorite, the mandolin.

He lived during a time when the world faced many challenges including the Nazi occupation in Sicily and the Allied Invasion of Sicily. He recounted seeing Hitler and Mussolini come through his home town of Monreale where he later was blessed to met Maria Anna, the love of his life.

With little work available, Andrea traveled to South America writing frequently to his sweetheart, Maria Anna. Once he secured employment, they decided to get married and waited ten years in South America on a quota for entry to the United States of America. Andrea possessed wisdom and was an anchor to the family. He had the vision to bring his family to the United States and begin a new life. Andrea and his family resided in Chicago and later in Springfield, Illinois. He was a hard-working man, sometimes working two jobs to help his young family. He retired from the State of Illinois, Department of Transportation after 23 years of service.

Andrea’s love for gardening and music grew throughout his life. His garden had many beautiful varieties of vegetables, fruit trees and plants which he joyfully shared with family and friends. He loved listening to and playing classic Italian songs, such as Cavalleria Rusticana and Caruso. He and his brother-in-law Francesco “Frank” Porrovechio (who sang opera) entertained friends and family. On Sunday’s, Andrea and his fellow choir members collectively offered their musical gifts during the Mass.

Andrea was a humble, honest, loving and reliable man of faith who would help anyone in need. He loved to discuss history, gardening and music and loved to share childhood stories with family and friends. He often shared how he first encountered his beloved wife Maria Anna during a religious procession celebrating the Festa dell’Immacolata or the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, a feast celebrated annually throughout Italy. He detailed how he returned to the annual Feast in search of her in the crowded procession. Once he saw her again, he learned where she resided and frequently returned to her balcony with his fellow musicians to serenade her with his mandolin.

His animated storytelling would bring many laughs over and over again. A favorite story was how as a young man, he would occasionally sneak a musical instrument with him while he was suppose to be working on the family giardino/farm. On this particular day he brought with him and was playing the clarinet, upon hearing his father’s voice he feared being caught not working, so he hid the clarinet in a nearby hand trenched lane used for irrigation. The water current increased and the clarinet was swept down to an area where his mother spotted it and believed it to be a black snake swimming towards her and yelled, “Help! It’s a snake!”. Upon hearing his wife’s cry, Andrea’s father immediately came to his wife’s rescue and with a gardening tool he severed the “snake” in half only to realize he had severed a clarinet thus exposing Andrea’s secret of bringing instruments to work.

Andrea is survived by his three children: Giovanna “Joann” (Giovanni) Curcio, Caterina “Catherine” (James) Fidler and Salvatore Madonia (David Donner). He is also survived by his sisters Mary Ann Porrovecchio (Francesco “Frank”) and Lucia Ganci (Rosario) and his brother Giuseppe. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews in the United States and in Italy. He is a beloved “nonno” to his grandchildren: Daniel (Linda) Curcio, Michael (Nicole) Curcio, Robert (Laura) Murphy, David Curcio, and Cristina Curcio (fiancé Matthew). He is a loving “bisnonno” to Arianna Curcio, Ria Curcio, Piera Curcio, Mika Murphy and Selene Murphy.

Andrea is preceded in death by his parents, Salvatore and Giovanna Madonia; his beloved wife, Maria Anna who passed December 2, 2020; sister Rosalia Labbruzzo and her beloved husband Salvatore; brother Giuseppe, and brother Giacchino “Jack” and his beloved wife Antonina “Nina” and brother-in-laws Francesco “Frank” Porrovecchio and Rosario Ganci.

We will miss his beautiful smile, the music he played and captivating stories. Andrea will be deeply missed by all who loved and knew him, he was an inspiration in living his faith & loving his family, friends, music and nature.

Rest in peace and may the angels guide you to our Lord’s embrace.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Christ The King Parish Choir or St. Joseph’s Parish Choir.

Services July 10, 2021:
Christ the King Parish

Visitation: 10:00 – 11:00 AM

Mass: 11:00 AM

Burial at Calvary Cemetery in Springfield where he will be laid to rest next to his beloved wife Maria Anna.

CDC Protocol shall be followed.

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