Robert Angelo Traglia

Feb 27, 1929 — Aug 9, 2026

Chicago

Robert A. Traglia passed away peacefully on August 9, 2026, at the age of 97, at the Edward Hines, Jr. VA Hospital in Chicago.

Bob was born on February 27, 1929, in Saginaw, MI, to Anton Traglia and Desolina Balagna Traglia. At the age of 7, the family moved to Houghton, MI, where he graduated from Saint Ignatius Loyola Grade School and Houghton High School with the Class of 1947. He then attended Soumi College for a short time. Bob then joined the Army and when discharged, started Art school in Chicago. Being in the reserves, Bob was called back in the Army when the Korean War broke out and again was honorably discharged. Bob continued his education and graduated with a Business degree from Spencerian College in Milwaukee. He worked for various businesses, including the Ford Motor Company, before relocating to Chicago, where he eventually retired from the public-school bus company. He loved Chicago and made many friends while living there. Years later, Bob went on the Honor Flight to Washington, DC, where he met many veterans from across the U.S.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents, sister Anna, brother Julio, and many aunts and uncles from South Range. 

He is survived by his sister, Mary Gilpatrick, of Wauwatosa, WI, sister-in-law, Helen Traglia of DeKalb, IL, cousins Mavis Kolb of NJ, Frank (Kim) Taddeucci and Mary Taddeucci, 5 nephews and 1 niece, grandnephews and grandnieces, as well as other family members in the U.S. and Italy. 

The family is grateful for the love and support from Little Brothers, Friends of the Elderly, the Veterans Home of Chicago and Chicago VA hospitals, and especially Margaret V. of Chicago.