Edward Durica Obituary

Durica, Edward A.

Edward A. Durica, 80, died Saturday, November 4, 2023. He is survived by his children, Deanna Durica (John Chrastka) and Matthew Durica, his grandchildren, Will and Adam Chrastka, Magnolia Durica, and Leo Bartholomew, Leo's mother, Lindsey, and dear friends Carol DiPietro and Antoinette Humanski. He joins in heaven his beloved wife Joan (Wojick), his parents Andrew and Elsie, his sister Sue, and his brother Rock.

Ed worked as a bookkeeper professionally, but his true calling was softball. He began his lifelong love of softball as a 10-year-old batboy in 1953. He played for almost three decades and then began his career as an umpire in 1980. Through 43 seasons, he called over 6,000 games across more than 60 venues, including Grant Park Firecracker Tournaments, North-South Tournaments, several ASA State Tournaments, and the Janura Friday Night Money League. In 2018, he was inducted into the Chicago 16 Inch Softball Hall of Fame, receiving the Richard J. Daley Award. He was, by all accounts, fair, honest, and accurate with his calls.

He was a lifelong and ardent Chicago White Sox fan. His second favorite team was whoever was opposing the Cubs that night. A weekly bowler, Ed played in leagues across the Chicagoland area and enjoyed the camaraderie of his friends and fellow bowlers. He served as an officer of the BPOE Lodge #1510 in several capacities, most recently as Inner Guard. Their charitable causes were close to his heart.

Ed loved his grandchildren and always said he was blessed to have the chance to watch them grow. Alongside Sue, Carol, and Annie, he re-learned how to change diapers but never forgot how to have fun with his little ones. He was a fixture during after-school pickups at Emerson and Heritage schools in Berwyn, and was well-known and well-liked by families around town.

A Memorial Visitation will be held at Adolf Berwyn Funeral Home, 2921 S. Harlem, on Friday, November 10th from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, November 11th at 10am at St. Mary Church / St. Paul VI Parish in Riverside. Interment is private. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in honor of Edward to the Chicago 16" Softball Hall of Fame to assist with their ongoing operations at https://16inchsoftballhof.com/donate. Info at: 708-484-4111 or www.adolfservices.com.

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