Charles Cretors Obituary

To: The members of the Cretors Family



I wish to extend my sympathy and prayers for members of the Charles J.

Cretors family. Fortunately, I was able to read the death notice in the Chicago Tribune; otherwise, his death would have passed without my being able to recall my many memories of Cretors & Co.



The full story of my relationship with the Cretors Family starts with my father, Frank Hynous, who returned from World War I and took a position with Cretors & Co. as supervisor of the repair department. My mother also became a secretary, probably in 1921. She met my father there and eventually they were married in 1928. I was born in 1932. Sad to say, my mother died of tuberculosis in 1940. But, my father continued on. Then, as I turned 16, I could go to work. I joined my father during the summer and on weekends helping him with his paper work.



The other memory of the days at Cretors is that my father went deaf after World War I. There were no hearing aids until much later. And so, his cubicle had an electric light at his desk which would be turned on when H.D. wanted to talk to him. My father got the hearing aid in the 1940’s but then my mother had already passed away. Charles always came to my father’s desk rather than signal him with the light.



In 1952, I left for the seminary of the Dominican Fathers. I had been a student at Fenwick High School. Then, my father died in 1956. He came home from work and had a heart attack and died the next morning. That was 50 years ago this April. It was difficult for me as an only child to be ordained with no parents or siblings but my life as a Dominican priest has been very rewarding.



My last visit with the Cretors’ family took place when H.D. died. I remember going to the wake held at a downtown funeral home. My regrets are that I couldn’t be present for the funeral Mass for Charles. But, I am praying for him, his father, and the family. I am currently employed by the Archdiocese of Chicago; I’ve been here for 20 years. I still think of the Cretors home, reportedly on Sheridan Road.



There is a gift I have yet to pass on to you. It’s a picture of the employees at Cretors, standing there for a picture. From the calendar on the wall, it has to be 1921. So, it is not just H.D. but also the original Charles Cretors as well. I will stop at the company someday soon and pass it on for your collection.



In the meantime, be assured that I have said a Mass for Charles Cretors.

My thoughts and prayers go out to the Cretors family during this difficult time. - with all my heart, Mark Hamilton

Be Still

Be still like the grass on a melancholy summer day
Be still like desert shrub.

Be calm and you will hear your loved one speak, in the stillness, in the calm, their love resounds.

If you are still this promise I make, you will hear the voice of your loved one helping you along your way.

Out thoughts are with you, Linda , and the kids.

I'm so sorry of hearing of the passing of Uncle Bud.............My prayers and sympathy go out to Aunt Georgia and my cousins, Charlie and Gigi...............

May the love of friends and family carry you through your grief.

May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.

Take comfort in knowing that now you have a special guardian angel to watch over you.

May the love of friends and family carry you through your grief.

May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well-lived.