Ryan Michael Peccenino

 
Ryan Michael Pecchenino, age 42, of St. Joseph, passed away on Saturday, August 16, 2025

at his home. He was born on January 31,1983, in Kankakee, the son of Nathan and Patricia
(Lamie) Pecchenino.
Ryan was a devoted husband, father, son, brother, uncle and friend. He was loved by many and
will be dearly missed, especially by his wife and children. Ryan had many passions, including
sports, especially golf and baseball, poker, and cooking, but nothing compared to the love he
had for his family. He was always the life of the party and had a knack for telling the best
stories. Known as Chef Ryan by many, his dishes were as pleasant and robust as his presence
in a room. The food, and company, shared at his family gatherings will surely be missing a key
ingredient in his absence.
Ryan was a gifted athlete in his adolescence and carried his passion for sports into adulthood.
In 1995, his Little League team, the Aroma Park Lions, won the Illinois State Championship,
forever cementing his love for the game. Following in his older brother’s footsteps, he went on to
play golf for Bishop McNamara High School, where he could also be found playing poker with
his friends during lunch.
After high school, Ryan harnessed his culinary gift and began his career as a chef at the Elk’s
Country Club in St. Anne. After some time, he accepted a new position which required
relocating to Danville. There, he met Autumn, who would later become his wife. They eventually
moved to St. Joseph and started building their family together. He most recently worked at the
local IGA where he quickly became well-known around town for the delicious and distinctive
menus he provided.
In adulthood, Ryan was an avid fan of many Chicago sports teams, including the Bears,
Blackhawks, and most of all, the Cubs. He also enjoyed watching professional golf and would
relive his glory days by watching the Little League World Series. Above all else, he loved to
cook for people and to spend time at home with his family.
Ryan is survived by his wife, Autumn Pecchenino of St. Joseph; four children, Riley Ferber of
Catlin and Arianna, Nathan, and Enzo Pecchenino of St. Joseph; his father, Nathan Pecchenino
of St. Anne; one sister, April (Nick) Mancuso of Marseilles; and one brother, Eric (Amanda)
Pecchenino of Kankakee. Several nieces and nephews, and his in-laws.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Patricia Lamie; brother, Matthew Pecchenino; and his
maternal and paternal grandparents.
Visitation will be held on Saturday, August 23rd from 12:00PM-2:00PM at Freese’s Funeral
Home in St. Joseph, IL., with a service directly following at the funeral home.
All friends and family are invited to attend a Celebration of Life from 3:00PM-6:00PM at Homer
Lake Forest Preserve at the Walnut Hills Shelter. An outdoor luncheon will be provided, please
dress accordingly to the weather. 2573 S. Homer Lake Rd., Homer, IL 61849.

Memorials may be made to the family.

Freese FH 8/19/2025