William J. “Billy” Ciccia, a life-lng resident of the Near West Side community, died on Dec. 6 with family and friends by his side. He was 65 years old.

Mr. Ciccia was the husband of Angela (nee Ferdinardo) for 17 years; son of the late Albert Ciccia and late Mary (nee Formato); step-father of Ernest (Diane) and Anthony (Cynthia); grandfather of Melissa and JC; brother of Albert (Rachelle), Rosemary (Robert) Pistilli; brother-in-law of Ralph (Sherye), Nick “Nash” (Theresa), Madeline, Stanley (Adriana), and Tommy (Carol); uncle of 15 and great-uncle of 19. He also was the special nephew of Aunt Jo.

Mr. Ciccia was an “Iron Chef” in his own right and enjoyed cooking for family and friends.

“‘You could never have enough garlic’ was one of his favorite kitchen expressions,” recalled his wife, Angela Ciccia. “He never wrote down his own recipes or measured anything. He took great pleasure in watching everyone enjoy the fruits of his labor and then quietly slip away to rest after a long day in the kitchen.

“Billy was a quiet, easy-going and humble man who received a kidney transplant in his early thirties, which gave him another chance at life. He lived for 31 years after his surgery.

Services were held at Salerno’s Galewood Chapels, Frank Reda & Son, directors. A funeral Mass was said at Notre Dame de Chicago Church. Interment is at Mt Carmel Cemetery in Hillside, IL.