In Loving Memory of Douglas Picirillo

It is with deep sorrow and much love that we mourn the passing of Douglas J. Picirillo, of Arlington Heights, Illinois. Doug passed on November 2, 2023, at the age of 67, from an acute medical crisis. He was a devoted husband, father, friend, co-worker, member of humanity, and believer in Christ.

A born and bred New Yorker, Doug was born in Manhattan on May 6, 1956. Raised by his mother Molly Picirillo, he grew up near Columbia University and had a lifelong love of learning. A city boy at heart who had a job working at Grand Central Terminal, Doug also spent time with relatives in North Canton, Ohio. After graduating from St. Hilda's and St. Hugh's School in 1974, Doug went to work in a new and growing field: information technology. Doug was someone who deeply valued and cultivated human relationships, and he kept in touch with many of his high school classmates throughout his life.

Doug met the love of his life Pamela (née Bruning), of Clifton, NJ, in June 1979. A biologist by training, Pam worked in the pharmaceutical industry. They married on June 22, 1985 in Liberty Corners, New Jersey. In addition to marrying Pam, Doug also became stepfather to Pam's child Christian Ryan, who was 6 at the time.

As he assumed increasingly senior roles in the IT industry, Doug's job brought the family to the Chicago area in 1985. Having settled into a house in Mount Prospect, Doug, Pam, and Christian welcomed a new son and brother, Daniel, in 1986. Doug was a committed father who provided for his family materially and intellectually; he encouraged his children to broaden their horizons and their imaginations, and to appreciate his dad jokes.

True partners, Doug and Pam shared their passions for travel, nature, home improvement, and sharing wine and conversation with friends. An American Airlines million-miler, Doug had a strong interest in all things aviation-related. He also had a passion for the arts and humanities, especially music and world languages. Doug earned his BA in Communications and Organizational Leadership from Trinity University in 2006, and a MA in Human Resources Management from North Park University in 2009. He shared his knowledge and experience with undergraduate students at Trinity University, where he taught part-time from 2010-2020.

Doug was driven by his belief in Christ and in human goodness. He attended The Bridge Community Church from 2019 to 2023, where he and Pam found a true church home and family. Doug put his beliefs in action with numerous works of charity. Since 2002 he and Pam have supported Compassion International, "a Christian child advocacy ministry that releases children from spiritual, economic, social and physical poverty and enables them to become responsible, fulfilled Christian adults," by sponsoring multiple children internationally. They also were advocates for clean water through World Vision. By participating in the 2020 and 2021 Chicago Marathon as part of the Team World Vision team, Doug pushed himself to his physical limits in support of the world's least advantaged people.

A respected leader in the IT business, Doug was Principal at DivIHN Integration International, a technology services firm. This work led him to travel across the globe, and he met and made friends everywhere he went. Doug valued people and relationships, and he will be remembered for his unwavering and deeply-held commitment to the dignity of every person.

Doug will be lovingly remembered by his wife, Pamela; his children, Christian Ryan and Daniel Picirillo, and daughter-in-law Robin James; as well as his brother-and-sister-in-law Ted and Debbie Bruning, his niece and nephew Amanda Walsh (Joe) and Ross Bruning (Becky), and their children Jake, Delilah, Maddie and Evie.

He was predeceased by his mother, Molly Picirillo.

A celebration of Doug's life will be held on November 11, 2023, at The Bridge Community Church, 946 E. Thacker St., Des Plaines, Illinois. Visitation is 11:30am-1:00pm, and the service begins at 1:00pm. Everyone who knew and loved Doug is welcome to join and share in remembering a life well-lived, full of love, service, and fellowship.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Compassion International ( https://www.compassion.com/donate-to-charity.htm ) and World Vision International ( https://donate.worldvision.org/give/world-vision-fund-gc-lp ).

Funeral care provided by G.L. Hills Funeral Home and Cremation Center. For information, please call 847-699-9003 or visit www.glhillsfuneralhome.com .

To view a livestream of Doug's service on our facebook page  beginning at 1:00 p.m please click here .  His service will also be archived on the funeral home's facebook page