Source: Rockford Labor News, The; Friday, October 27, 1972, page 9
Maria’s Italian Cafe
Maria’s Italian Café – Northwest Quarterly Magazine, Winter 2008
Maria’s Italian Café:
Sign over the door “John and Joe’s Casa di Amici”
Began in 1924 out of back door of kitchen; restaurant opened in 1930’s
Run first by Maria Cason, then by her sons, Tony and Jake
Now run by Jake’s widow Carmella and her sons, Joe and John
During WWII, military personnel from Camp Grant dined in the basement
Source: Northwest Quarterly Magazine, WInter 2008, Page 75, Vol. 5, No. 4
Maria’s Italian Café – photo, Cason Family
Source: “Rockford Rocked” www.Facebook.com owners of Maria’s Italian Cafe
Maria’s – color photo, exterior
Source: “Rockford Rocked” www.Facebook.com, 2013
828 Cunningham St., John and Joe Cason
Maria’s Italian Café – 2010 article/review
Owner: Carmella Cason Source: Rockford Register Star, GO Section 2/12/2010 828 Cunningham St.
Maria’s Italian Café, ad – 1949
Source: Rockford Labor News, June 10, 1949
Cason, Maria
Maria’s Italian Café restaurant est. 1933. Born 8/5/1888, Cupano, Italy (maiden Name: Carratto). Two sons: John E. (Jake) and Tony Cason. Came to Rockford 43 years ago married Tissiano Cason in Kankakee 1922. Member St, Anthony’s and Venetian Ladies Auxiliary
Source: Rockford Morning Star 5/22/1959
Cason, Marguerite “Peggy”
born Feb. 7, 1916 in Canonsburg, Pa, daughter of Joseph and Angelina Marconi, married Anthony “Tony” Cason in 1938 ; married 68 years; he predeceased her in 2007. Co-owner of Maria’s Italian Café; she was the business manager with husband Tony founded Maria’s Frozen Foods. Member of St. Anthony’s church survivor’s include granddaughters Renee (Doug) Zwiger, Rae Ann Pirello, and Rita (Chet) Epperson, brother Frank (Laura) Marconi. Predeceased by her daughter, Donna and son-in-law, Russ Pirello, brothers Raymond and James, and sisters Edith D’Orazio and Norma Sproule. Gasparini and Oliveri Funeral Home, St. Anthony Catholic Church. Private family internment in Calvary Cemetery
Source: Rockford Register Star 12/16/2010
Source: Rockford Register Star 12/17/2010
Cason, Anthony “Uncle Tony”
91, of Rockford, passed away in Provena St. Anne’s. Born April 17, 1915, the son of Tiss and Maria Cason, he married Marguerite Marconi in St. Anthony Church in 1938. Tony and his mother created and founded Maria’s Italian Café and Maria’s frozen foods. He owned The Music Box, Green Gables, Palm gardens, The Airport Restaurant and Nino’s Steakhouse. Tony played the trumpet in the Al’s Iowaianes Band and also for special services in the army, WWII. Member of St. Anthony Church. Predeceased by brother John (Jake), sisters Irene Cherichetti and Inez Vitale. Arrangements by Gasparini and Oliveri Funeral Home.
Source: Rockford Register Star 3/10/207
Restaurants, 1981 – L – S
Source: 1981 Illinois Bell Telephone Directory for Rockford and Loves Park