Charles Macal Obituary

To the Macal family:

I was deeply saddened to hear of Charlie’s passing this morning, on June 6th. Please accept my apologies for not being present at the services yesterday. He was a very special person to me.

Charlie was a pivotal person in my life. He recognized my interest in cars as a boy from working in the
Chicago alley. He helped me into Washburne Trade School in the summer of 1975, which led to me being a mechanic in a Ford Dealer. When I had to stop due to health reasons, he understood. After getting a job as an engineering technician for Midas Muffler Corp. (because of Washburne), I went back to Daley College for basic math. Since then I have completed my academic career as an engineer with a BSME from Illinois Institute of Technology (’95) and a Master of Engineering Management from Northwestern University (’02). As I told Charlie in ’95 it came easy to me because an auto contains every conceivable mechanical device. This has lead to instilling the importance and rewards of education upon my girls. Charlie made “a difference in the life of this child” and perpetuated it to my girls.

All of you know how wise and special of a person he was, how deeply he loved Dorothy and how they complimented each other, and the many lives he must (unbeknown to us) have constructively touched in the CPD, with the humbleness and dignity that defined him and that he exampled.

The proof is in what you leave behind. Charlie and Dorothy, you have to be proud.

Again, my sincerest condolences to you all.

John W. Gizowski
Formerly 3109 W. 53rd Place
Chicago