Rockford Labor News, page 9 – Friday, Oct 27, 1972

Source: Rockford Labor News, The; Friday, October 27, 1972, page 9

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

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

Restaurants L - R

Source: 1981 Illinois Bell Telephone Directory for Rockford and Loves Park

Restaurants p 438