Joseph Robert Maniola, age 81, of Elgin, IL, passed away on August 29, 2024. He was born March 31, 1943 in Chicago, IL to his loving parents, Joseph and Doris (née DeGrenier) Maniola.

Joseph worked in retail sales, and owned the business HiFi Hutch. He and his wife, Donna, were married 43 years.

Joseph was trustworthy and honest. He had a positive mental attitude, and encouraged this in others. He believed in persistence, but never stepped on anyone to get ahead in business. He was always happy to hire family members in need of work.

Joseph enjoyed many hobbies, including all things audio/visual, classic cars, western films, piano and organ (and music, in general). He liked playing pinball machines, pool, bowling, football picks, poker, and Black Jack.

For one brief but intense period of time, Joseph really got into musky fishing. He bought most of the fishing section of a sporting goods store in order to be properly outfitted to catch a musky. This included lures so big that their splash when entering the water was guaranteed to scare away all the fish! The next year it was boats.

Joseph loved telling his children and grandchildren stories about his old neighborhood, the characters he grew up with and some of the trouble they got into, and the cars they tinkered with. His family loved listening to those stories over and over.

Joseph was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his wife, Donna Maniola; children, Joseph (Laura) Maniola, Vincent (Laura) Maniola, Nicholas (Sara) Maniola, Jennifer (Chase) Harris, and Gina (David) Wentzel; sisters, Joan Williams, Carol Pawlikowski, and Mary Maniola; and grandchildren, David, Amy, Rachel, Michael, Grace, Olivia, and Eric.

Interment will be private.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Joseph’s name to the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation.

Final arrangements entrusted to Symonds-Madison Funeral Home. For more information, call 847-741-1128.