Memorials › Hugh Elliot Bisco
Hugh Elliot Bisco
4 Feb 1966 – 4 Feb 2025
| Birth | 4 Feb 1966 |
| Death | 4 Feb 2025 |
| Cemetery | Roanoke Township Cemetery Roanoke , Woodford County , Illinois , USA |
| Added by | HAMMER on 11 Feb 2025 |
| FaG | https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/279602347 |
Bio
Hugh Elliot Bisco Obituary Hugh Elliot Bisco of Sycamore, IL, formerly of Roanoke, died after a long battle with cancer. He died at his home surrounded by family and friends on February 4, 2025, the day of his 59th birthday. He was known for his strong will, humorous personality, quest for knowledge, passion for motorcycles, enthusiasm for scouting, pursuit of the best deal, and love for his family. Hugh was born in Peoria, IL on February 4, 1966 to Jane (Herbst) and Henry "Hank" Bisco of Roanoke, IL, who both preceded him in death. He married Gladys Aureus Bisco of Oak Brook, IL on August 1, 1993 in Winter Park, CO on the side of a mountain. They celebrated 31 years together as a loving family. She currently resides in Sycamore, IL with their two sons and dog, Ash. Hugh is survived by his loving wife Gladys; their sons - Nathaniel Aureus Bisco and Henry Aureus Bisco; Hugh's older siblings - Howard Bisco (Nancy Hughbanks) of East Peoria, IL, Jan Bisco (Bordentown, NJ), and Joan Bisco (Lawrence, KS); his family through marriage, including parents-in-law Rebecca and Ricardo Aureus; his sisters-in-law Janice Gadbois, Pauline Aureus, and Elizabeth Collins; and many nieces and nephews. Hugh graduated from Roanoke-Benson High School in 1984, where he created many life-long friends who filled his heart with laughter, love, and memories. Along with being an excellent student and participating on the Scholastic Bowl for four years, he kept people entertained as the RBHS variety show emcee and the school mascot. He attended University of Illinois, in Urbana-Champaign where he met Gladys. During this time he surprised everyone by joining his friends as the lead singer in a ska reggae band named "Toucan Sam and the Jungle Jam". He also brought laughter to all as he impersonated Pee-wee Herman with all his accoutrements, including his bike. At college, he continued to develop his desire to learn, profound sense of humor, and confidence. At the same time, he proudly served his country as a Medical Specialist in the US Army Reserves. In 1989, he graduated with a BA in Political Science. In September 2024 Hugh retired as a Senior Engineer Technician at Crawford, Murphy & Tilly, Inc in Aurora. Previously, he worked as a CAD Designer at Baxter & Woodman in Dekalb for 16 years and at Spies & Associates in Arlington Heights for 10 years. From being out in the field surveying sites to being in the office dancing across the computer keys designing with CAD, he was happy to have found a place in the field of civil engineering. Hugh's services to Scouting America were some of his most commendable accomplishments. Over the decades, he zealously shared his enthusiasm for the outdoors, nature, camping, hiking, and backpacking. As a member of Roanoke's BSA Troop 71, Hugh became an Eagle Scout and a member of the Order of the Arrow. He had numerous memorable adventures at Philmont Scout Ranch in Cimarron, NM with his parents and siblings, his wife and children, as well as numerous scouts from Sycamore area troops. Over 16 years with the Kishwaukee District Three Fires Council, he mentored young people as he served as Troop 18 Scoutmaster, Venturing Crew 360 Advisor, and Pack 141 Den Leader and Cubmaster. For 7 years he also served the local District as their Membership Committee Chair, District Commissioner and Activities Chair. In recent years, he worked to try to restart a scouting program in Roanoke. One year he worked as the District Executive of the Three Fires Council in Dekalb and as a Paraprofessional in the Blackhawk Area Council, delivering the Scouting program to underserved youth in Rockford. He was issued the Scouting America Wood Badge after completing an advanced national leadership program and received the District Award of Merit. In September 2023 he achieved a lifelong goal by solo backpacking along the 487-mile Colorado Trail from Denver to Durango as a through-hike. With his long beard and bright orange jacket he acquired the trail name of "Blaze". He completed his trek in just over a month, as a major snowstorm rolled into Molas Pass. One of Hugh's biggest passions was motorcycles, after being introduced to them by his older brother, Howard. Hugh collected them, worked on them, researched them, watched races, and rode them in long trips across the country, as well as short trips to work, even in the Illinois winters. He and Gladys were able to ride their motorcycles with friends to many beautiful locations. Keeping the tradition alive, he and his son, Nathaniel found time to travel and create a cycling bond. Hugh loved music and was always disappointed that RBHS's music program was dropped while he attended. He appreciated many genres of music and that love helped him develop a musical bond with his son, Henry, who plays the cello. Researching the history of Roanoke and his parents' families were other pastimes that he enjoyed. He shared his interesting discoveries publicly via various computer platforms. Illinois was his lifetime home, although for decades he and his family made the mountains of Winter Park, CO their summer home-away-from-home. Despite the fact that he hadn't lived in Roanoke for decades, the village never strayed from his heart. He visited his parents regularly and kept in touch with the community who had surrounded him while he blossomed. He was a member of the Sycamore United Methodist Church, where he served as a Church Council Chairperson and was a past member of the Roanoke United Methodist Church, where he regularly offered his services. The family offers special thanks to the medical staff who provided aid to Hugh and Gladys over this past year, especially those at Northwestern Medicine Kishwaukee Hospital in Dekalb, IL and MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, TX. Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 AM on Friday, February 21, 2025 at the Roanoke United Methodist Church. Visitations will be from 4-7 PM on Thursday, February 20th at Knapp-Johnson-Harris Funeral Home in Roanoke and on Friday from 10-10:45 AM prior to the service at the church. Burial with full military rites will be in the Roanoke Township Cemetery. A Celebration of Life will be Saturday, March 1st, 10:00 AM with service at 11:00AM at Sycamore United Methodist Church, 160 Johnson Ave. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Hugh's honor to "The Colorado Trail Foundation", PO Box 1292, Poncha Springs, CO 81242 or to "Scouting America" through the Memorial/Tribute Fund of Three Fires Council (Northern Illinois, including Sycamore) or W.D. Boyce Council (Central Illinois, including Roanoke). Online condolences and tributes may be sent to the family at knappjohnsonharris.com. As we grapple with the loss of Hugh's physical presence, we find solace in knowing that he is no longer suffering and that his spirit will live on through the lives of the many people he touched over his too-short lifetime. We will always carry his memory in our hearts.
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