Funeral Details

Stuart J. Rosenberg age 68. Beloved husband of Rachel nee Lerner. Loving father of Allegra and Theo. Dear brother of Aaron (Iris), Robert (Lisa) and the late David (Barbara). Cherished uncle of Arianna, Benny and Liat Lerner and Loren, Jacob and Daniel Rosenberg; a cherished brother-in-law of Joshua Lerner (Sandra) and Adina Lerner & Mike Stan; and a cherished son-in-law of Lorraine Lerner. The son of the late Murray and Beverly Rosenberg.

Stuart Rosenberg was a gifted musician, a lifelong artist who touched the lives of thousands in his role as a celebrated band leader. He was known for his long and energetic horahs that set the dance floor ablaze. Music was only one among his many other talents: he was an artist, a writer, a raconteur, a snappy dresser, an endlessly quotable conversationalist. Immensely beloved by his community – a community made up by everyone who had the pleasure and the fortune to know him – and by his friends and family, his immense gifts and his tremendous spirit immeasurably enriched us all. With his keen eye for connection, he spent decades bringing together new friendships, bandmates, and collaborators, in spectacular constellations of creativity.

His children were his everything. His daughter Allegra, and son Theo, gave him the greatest joy in his life. He will be remembered for his dedication to supporting them, through long messages of affirmation and encouragement, and always being there to answer the phone, whether it be day or night. Not once did he ever miss a chance to tell his children how much he loved them, and how proud and happy he was to be their father. His adored wife, Rachel, was his companion for over 30 years, sharing memorable adventures around the world, in art, music, and food.

As a steadfast member of the Chicago music community, Stuart could be seen on stages around the city and around the country as a member of bands such as the Rogues, the Laketown Buskers, and the legendary Otters. He organized free shows at Navy Pier featuring the likes of Iris Dement and Ladysmith Black Mambazo, and his eclectic shows on WBEZ, Earth Club and Radio Gumbo, introduced new and rare sounds from around the world to passionate cult audiences. Writing music listings for Chicago Magazine for many years, he made sure that the rich musical culture of the city did not go unmissed by anyone. He played and programmed the biannual Greater Chicago Jewish Festival, and for many years taught klezmer at the Old Town School of Folk Music. In his basement recording studio, Long Dog Studios, he was a talented engineer and producer, facilitating recording for artists like Catherine Russell, Alberto Mizrahi, Brothers Lazaroff, and many more.

One of his proudest legacies was the founding of the Society of the Preservation of Arts and Culture in Evanston in the 1980s, as a homegrown Evanston do-it-yourself storefront music venue. He then had the opportunity to relaunch the SPACE in 2006 on Chicago Avenue, and it was his passionate creative vision for an intimate space for music performance and gathering that was the foundation of the venue as it still exists to the joy of the North Shore today.

For Stuart, coming together for celebrations of life was his raison d’etre. He lived to bring joy and bring music into our hearts. Let us all celebrate his life in every way we can.

Service Friday 10AM at Chicago Jewish Funerals, 8851 Skokie Blvd (at Niles Center Road), Skokie. Interment Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Greater Chicago Jewish Festival: Greater Chicago Jewish Festival | P.O. Box 5215, Skokie, IL 60076 jewishfestival.org/donate/

To attend the funeral live stream, please visit our website. Arrangements by Chicago Jewish Funerals - Skokie Chapel, 847.229.8822, www.cjfinfo.com