There are currently no tributes.

Karl came to Holy Ghost school in Wood Dale in the second grade.  His family moved into our neighborhood and we quickly became great friends. 

 

Throughout elementary school Karl was a leader.  He we won the talent shows playing the accordion at a level that surpassed everyone else’s musical abilities.  Karl played center position on our class basketball team.  He wore kneepads with the word “Duke” lettered on each.  So we called him “Duke.”   Then we all lettered different names on our kneepads. 

 

When the ‘twist’ became popular he had the best dance moves.  Later in life he went on to become a dance instructor.   

 

Around 7^th grade Karl started drum lessons and he went on to be the first drummer for the band “The Proper Strangers.”

 

We ran in different circles in high school, but at our 40^th  class reunion he and I had the opportunity to revisit our past.  Karl was every bit the friend I knew decades earlier. 

 

The proper Strangers played at that reunion.  Karl had left the band a long time ago but they asked him to sit in for a set.  I know it meant a lot to him.   

We remained friends all our lives. Harry was always a little special a one of a kind. Note how he poses while I work! Miss everything about him

---

It was always entertaining to meet Harry strolling the hall.  Like meeting a wild and crazy guy and talking to the hippee dippy weather man.  Man
 

I met Boe in high school.  We spent many summer nights cruising in his ford mustang convertible.  I remember Bocek getting that car airborne crossing the tracks by Veteran’s park to escape an attack in the year of the great egg wars.    

 

In the winter we plowed parking lots and friends driveways with his willies Jeep.  Pete’s on Irving was one of our clients.  We never charged him so we ate for free and somehow there was always a gallon of red wine by the back door. 

 

Bocek was always a really great guy to be around.  He had a wide variety of friends and seemed comfortable in any circle. 

 

He was a regular in the Tortilla Flats crowd, fishing, swimming and getting drunk in the Kankakee strip mines. 

 

When the bad guys in town were going to bust some heads at a summer dance in Elk Grove.  We all went along in a show of support and curiosity.  Our battle dress of flip flops, shorts and t-shirts definitely showed us to not be the serious fighters.  But, the Elk Grove Police set a trap.  Boe was one of about 30 guys who got busted that night for ‘mob action.’   

 

But that’s the kind of guy he was, friends with everyone, and always ready for a good time.

There are currently no tributes.

There are currently no tributes.

There are currently no tributes.

Beautiful smile - beautiful person. That is how I will always remember you. 

---

MaryAnn and I were friends in grade school, high school and beyond.  She was a sweet, good hearted person.  Oe of the first to give the nuns a hard time and get the rest of us to go right along with her - all in food fun.  She would ask them if the really had legs and to prove it and the same with their hair.  She could make anyone laugh no matter their mood.  She is missed by many.

There are currently no tributes.

My best man at my wedding passed way to early, he always had that perfect smile! Peace

There are currently no tributes.

I will never forget Bruce singing “Tu lo sai” at vocal competitions. As I learned later, it was not the  usual arrangement of the song, much more romantic than baroque, and it was lovely. For years afterwards, every time I heard that song, I thought of Bruce [just as I never heard “Un bel dì” from Madama Butterfly without thinking of Lynda Placek’s glorious rendition.] We were very lucky to have such talented singers in our choir. 

---

I've got a few stories about Bruce.  I'll go with first.  Possibly the first day of school when he came to Johnson school.  I think his parents were from Europe.  He had on lederhosen.  A boy with leather shorts in 3rd grade was almost a scandal.  Bruce learned to fit in with the Bensenville crowd.  It was a long time ago.  I hope I got part of the story correct.   Curt

Dear Donna
So many wonderful high school memories -double dates, sharing clothes, sleep overs.  It’s  hard to pick any one time above the others.  I will always remember you as that beautiful young girl both inside and out, that I knew back in the day. 

There are currently no tributes.

I met Dennis before school started freshman year.  I was less than 95 lbs and he was by comparison a giant.  It was a bit intimidating.  Not only was I probably the smallest guy but I didn't know anyone.  Dennis was sitting on a bench in the locker room bantering with all the big guys.  He stopped when he saw me and said "You going out for football?" Like he was processing the visual.  "Well alright" he said. I liked him.  A friendly giant is a good thing when your small.   He was always friendly throughout HS.
After graduation he was one of the first guys to fully explore the realms of mind expansion.  We ran in similar circles in Bensenville.  Kickapoo Creek Rock Festival was a party we all went to.  Dennis was always fun loving, friendly, accepting and fully self expressed.         
    

There are currently no tributes.

Love you man.We spent so many crazy times together. I can still hear your laugh...

---

We became good friends in HS.   George was a weight lifter and had a big chest and arms.  He also could belly dance – which no one else could do.

 

His dad was this gravely-voiced construction guy who everyone feared.  And, he wasn’t shy about tending to George in front of his friends. In the fall season of the great egg wars, George’s house was pumpkin-ed.  The wrath of his  dad was largely responsible for the end of the egg wars.

 

After HS George went on to building houses with his dad.  I worked roofing and did some work for them from time to time.  His dad mellowed and even became friendly.

 

George worked hard and played hard.

---

I spent a lot of time with George after high school.  He had a semester in college where Andy Krause and I were in the same dorm.  John Reifsnyder Huff had an appartment with George.  Years later, not using my college diploma, I worked as a carpenter and electrician with George and his father building single family houses and remodeling jobs.  He lived with an intensity that excited the people around him.  He may have pushed himself a little too fast to the finish line.   Curt

---

After 50 years, I don't remember much but I do remember you writing a very special entry in my yearbook.  It touched my heart and always stayed with me.  When I heard of your passing, it sadden me deeply and despite our never having a lifelong friendship, I couldn't help but feel the world was missing someone extraordinary.  As I remember it, you were quite profound and were able to describe life in succint terms.  I searched authors of the 60's and came across S. E. Hinton who wrote, The Outsiders.  Ironically, so much like you George!  You left the earth much too soon.  You are missed.
With Love,
Carol

Judy was as beautiful on the inside as she was on the outside. RIP

What a charcter you were! Remember being on a bowlng team with you

---

 A tribute to a tribute.  Well said John.

---

I only knew John as a fellow boy scout. It was a shock when he left school to serve in Viet Nam.  Somehow his death slipped through my radar.

Thank you for your service John.

 

From Christine's husband, William Bish: " I was a lucky man to have shared life with her for 44 years. I know she will be watching from above. I hope you will share the information will all her classmates."