Look at the 1500 block of west Jackson Boulevard. Notre Dame de Chicago Church. The Vietnam Survivors Memorial. All are here today because of William L. Lavicka, leader of the preservationist movement on the Near West Side from the 1970s until his death April 18.

The twinkling brown eyes and ready smile of James “J.F.” or “Jimmy” Fontano are gone from the corner of Polk and Carpenter streets. Mr. Fontano died Feb. 16 at age 55.

A lifelong resident of two blocks in the Taylor Street area, Theresa Mategrano was the go-to seamstress when a young woman planned her wedding.

Dominick Bruno, a life-long resident of Bridgeport, died on Nov. 19, 2011, after a lengthy illness. Mr. Bruno was 58 years old.

Ray Klimko, a former Near West Side resident who was the Gazette’s first news reporter, died suddenly on June 1 at age 58.

Marie “ReRe” De Bartolo (nee Faticati), a lifelong resident of Bridgeport, died on Oct. 12 at the age of 88.

Joseph J. Gentile, a philanthropist, former car dealer, and owner of radio station WJJG, passed away on Oct. 10. He died of natural causes with his wife, Carol, by his side. They were together for 37 years.

Rose M. “Mickey Rose” Nardi, a life-long resident of Chinatown, died on Aug. 3. She was 64 years old.

Steven “Sugar Bear” Raya, formerly of the Near West Side community, died suddenly on Sept. 27. He was 54.

The Rev. James J. Close, or “Fr. Jim,” as he was known by scores of youth, friends, and donors to Mercy Home for Boys and Girls, died at 3:30 a.m. on Aug. 31 following a long battle with cancer. His family was by his side. He was 75 years old.