Collin C. Rajcevich-Ungaretti
Services
Obituary
Collin Christopher Rajcevich-Ungaretti was born November 4, 1989 in Chicago, Illinois and died September 16, 2012 in Brookfield, Illinois. He was the son of Kimberly (nee Rajcevich) and Dale Schwer II of Brookfield; and Paul and Carol Ungaretti of Oak Park.
Collin, from his earliest years, was making an indelible mark on the people in his life with his silly humor, incredible curiosity, intellect, stubborn tenacity, and the exuberant manner in which he approached all things that sparked a passion in him. His desire to understand life and the world around him could be seen even then as he, with an almost professorial manner, would entertain his family and friends with his findings on science and the animal kingdom.
As Collin moved through life he discovered a talent and love for art. In his freshman year of high school he was accepted into the Chicago Academy for the Arts- a wonderful accomplishment. There he not only developed his skill as an artist, but developed relationships that would be a source of lasting inspiration and strength to him. Art and his friends were a valuable outlet for him to explore and find release from his growing frustrations, emotional pain and sense of isolation. Collin sought many different ways to tame the turmoil that took hold of him and eventually turned to drugs as his means of escape.
On Sunday, September 16, Collin died of a drug overdose in Brookfield. The years leading up to his death were marked by wonderful highs, and heart breaking lows that were felt even more deeply by the many people who loved him. He had an incredible ability to find his way into the hearts of those he encountered with his amazing smile, wonderfully silly humor, and wisdom beyond his age. These people became his supporters and, along with his family, prayed and hoped that he would find a way to free himself from the addiction that slowly began to define his life. Although he wanted desperately to understand his own existence and to find deeper meaning behind a life that he struggled to both endure and find freedom from - such peace of mind eluded him.
He was particularly grateful for the relationship he eventually developed with his adoring younger sister, Autumn. She brought a light to his life that could be seen in his face whenever they were together. The void that he will leave in the lives of those who loved him cannot compare to the joy and memories that his life had bestowed.
Collin is survived by: his parents and sisters, Autumn Rajcevich-Schwer and Natalie Ungaretti; brother, James Ungaretti; His grandparents, Richard and Noren Ungaretti, Chicago; Sharon Fuchs, Brookfield; David and Morgan Rajcevich, Fulton; Audrey Ungaretti, Oak Park; Dale and Patricia Schwer Jr., Chicago; his gr. grandmother, Harriet Rajcevich, Clinton, IA; his aunts, Amber Rajcevich, Fulton; Dr. Joy (Chris Levy) Ungaretti, Oak Park; Valerie (Todd) Koleno, Tinley Park; and his uncle Steven (Andrea) Schwer, Hanover Park.
Visitation Friday, September 21, 2012, 4 P.M. to 8 P.M. and Saturday, September 22, 2012, 11 A.M. to 11:30 A.M. at Hitzeman Funeral Home Ltd. 9445 West 31st Street, Brookfield, Funeral Saturday 11:30 A.M. Interment private. In lieu of flowers memorials appreciated to The Chicago Academy for the Arts, 1010 West Chicago Avenue, Chicago, IL 60642 or The IDHHB Institute, PO Box 370, Nevada City, CA 95959. Information 708-485-2000 or www.HitzemanFuneral.com
Collin, from his earliest years, was making an indelible mark on the people in his life with his silly humor, incredible curiosity, intellect, stubborn tenacity, and the exuberant manner in which he approached all things that sparked a passion in him. His desire to understand life and the world around him could be seen even then as he, with an almost professorial manner, would entertain his family and friends with his findings on science and the animal kingdom.
As Collin moved through life he discovered a talent and love for art. In his freshman year of high school he was accepted into the Chicago Academy for the Arts- a wonderful accomplishment. There he not only developed his skill as an artist, but developed relationships that would be a source of lasting inspiration and strength to him. Art and his friends were a valuable outlet for him to explore and find release from his growing frustrations, emotional pain and sense of isolation. Collin sought many different ways to tame the turmoil that took hold of him and eventually turned to drugs as his means of escape.
On Sunday, September 16, Collin died of a drug overdose in Brookfield. The years leading up to his death were marked by wonderful highs, and heart breaking lows that were felt even more deeply by the many people who loved him. He had an incredible ability to find his way into the hearts of those he encountered with his amazing smile, wonderfully silly humor, and wisdom beyond his age. These people became his supporters and, along with his family, prayed and hoped that he would find a way to free himself from the addiction that slowly began to define his life. Although he wanted desperately to understand his own existence and to find deeper meaning behind a life that he struggled to both endure and find freedom from - such peace of mind eluded him.
He was particularly grateful for the relationship he eventually developed with his adoring younger sister, Autumn. She brought a light to his life that could be seen in his face whenever they were together. The void that he will leave in the lives of those who loved him cannot compare to the joy and memories that his life had bestowed.
Collin is survived by: his parents and sisters, Autumn Rajcevich-Schwer and Natalie Ungaretti; brother, James Ungaretti; His grandparents, Richard and Noren Ungaretti, Chicago; Sharon Fuchs, Brookfield; David and Morgan Rajcevich, Fulton; Audrey Ungaretti, Oak Park; Dale and Patricia Schwer Jr., Chicago; his gr. grandmother, Harriet Rajcevich, Clinton, IA; his aunts, Amber Rajcevich, Fulton; Dr. Joy (Chris Levy) Ungaretti, Oak Park; Valerie (Todd) Koleno, Tinley Park; and his uncle Steven (Andrea) Schwer, Hanover Park.
Visitation Friday, September 21, 2012, 4 P.M. to 8 P.M. and Saturday, September 22, 2012, 11 A.M. to 11:30 A.M. at Hitzeman Funeral Home Ltd. 9445 West 31st Street, Brookfield, Funeral Saturday 11:30 A.M. Interment private. In lieu of flowers memorials appreciated to The Chicago Academy for the Arts, 1010 West Chicago Avenue, Chicago, IL 60642 or The IDHHB Institute, PO Box 370, Nevada City, CA 95959. Information 708-485-2000 or www.HitzemanFuneral.com