We said goodbye to several notable suburban residents in 2020. They left indelible marks on their communities through impressive accomplishments and dedicated public service. The list includes local officials and community, religious and business leaders.
Jasper Sanfilippo
Jasper Sanfilippo built his family’s nut business into a publicly traded company that last year had $876 million in sales. However, it is his passion for musical instruments, and helping nonprofits raise millions of dollars that helped shape his legacy. – Courtesy of Sanfilippo family
Jan. 28: He built his family’s nut business into a publicly traded company that last year had $876 million in sales, but it was his passion for musical instruments, particularly mechanical music machines, that helped shape his legacy. He was 88.
Sanfilippo’s Barrington Hills house grew to include additions to showcase his vast collection. He and his wife, Marian, helped nonprofit groups raise millions of dollars through welcoming them to host their fundraisers at the estate.
His son, Jeffrey Sanfilippo, who succeeded him as CEO of John B. Sanfilippo & Son Inc. in 2006, dates his father’s interest in vintage music machines to a family vacation to Knott’s Berry Farm in California in the mid-1970s.
Jasper Sanfilippo built an addition to display his collection of automated musical instruments, including music boxes, phonographs, coin-operated pianos and violin machines. It grew to include dance organs and calliopes, and a world class theater organ.
He built an organ room and later a carousel building and helped local charities host banquets to raise money.
The couple established a family foundation in 2007 to help preserve the collection and manage the charity events.
Read the expanded list from the Daily Herald here.
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