Eugene Lizak Obituary

Hey Lizak's...sorry to hear about your Dad....he was a good man even though there were some differences growing up...we all had that... I remember how he used to talk to us as kids...he always had that soft subtle voice...I remember that about your Dad like it was yesterday...he is at peace.

To all the Lizaks' Its been awhile but, you have been all in my heart for a very long time and still are. I am so very sorry for your loss of husband and dad. Gene to me was a great person and one I am glad to have known while growing up in Chicago on Fletcher Street. Your family was such a joy to me. The true meaning of family. I enjoyed all my time at your home, meeting all of you and was very sad when you all moved away. Having such memories of all of you, I know you will have memories in your hearts forever of Gene. Please know that I am thinking of all of you and would like to contact you somehow.
With sadness in my heart for your loss.
Susan Haas, (Susie Kreutzer from Fletcher Street.)

Dad,

I never told you that I love you as much as I should have. Dad I want you to know that when I lost you I lost my best friend. You where my rock you were there for me countless times without wanting any thanks or praise. Dad, I miss you with all my heart and all my soul. Dad...am I getting to you?
Dad I was always so very proud to have you as a dad. You always knew what to say, how to make people feel good about themselves. Dad if I could be half the father to your grandson, Joey will have a great life. You will always and forever be on my mind ,my heart, and my soul. Dad... am I getting to you?
Dad, you gave all of us nicknames. so I speak for poo-thing, snuffy, blondy, sissy, and joey joey joey, we will all miss you very much! And dad...I hope that I am getting to you.
Love your son,
Joe

Dad - The dictionary defines Dad as "a male parent". "A male who adopts a child or who otherwise holds a paternal relationship toward another". I'm here to tell you my Dad was so much greater than what the dictionary defines! My Dad was a kind, gentle, honest, loving, caring, and very religious Dad. My Dad put his heart and soul into everything he did. Whether it was being a son, brother, soldier, husband, Dad, friend, or a Catholic my Dad gave his all!

My Mom used to tell us when we were very little my Dad would come home from work and be very excited to see us. He would get disappointed when any of us were sleeping. He would say,"Why are they sleeping?" My Mom would tell him "They're little Gene, they need their sleep." So my Dad would sneak into our rooms and wake us up so he could give us hugs and kisses.

My Dad's love for all five of us children was so great, so strong, and never-ending. Dad was very devoted to Mom and us children. He always provided for us no matter what happened. We never had a car growing up. But that didn't stop my Dad from grocery shopping. He would walk the one or two miles to Dominick's, Jewel, Butera, and Aldi's just to make sure we had food on the table. When we were very little I have fond memories of waiting in our living room window watching for my Dad to come through the park with 5 to 6 shopping bags in each hand. As we grew older, I remember walking to all the grocery stores with my Dad and carrying all the shopping bags. I remember always having to run to keep up with Dad's fast walking. That's probably why I'm a fast walker to this day.

Raising five children was never easy and my parents never complained about it. Sometimes I hear how some parents can get too busy to be with thier children or how their mothers did most of the raising of their children...not my Dad. He helped my Mom change diapers, he helped feed us when we were babies, and he walked us to art classes, swim lessons, violin lessons, and piano lessons. My Dad made time for us.

Besides grocery shopping my Dad also helped my Mom with washing dishes and cleaning house. One particular memory I have growing up is on Saturdays my Dad would listen to the Polka music on the radio. He would pull out his mop and bucket and mop all the floors in the house. As he did this he would turn the mop, or broom, if he was sweeping, upside down and dance around the house singing and dancing. We would all join in with him. Sometimes we would even hop on his feet and he would dance us around the house.

My Dad's Catholic faith played a big part in his life and it showed in everything he did. He went to church daily...Sunday to Saturday. He would even go to St. Peter's Church in Chicago on his lunch hour. He also went to confession on a regular basis. As we grew up and encountered the many struggles in life Dad would always remind us about God and prayer. I even remember the times when Jehovah Witnesses would come to the door to try to spread their word. Dad would end up having long discussions with them explaining our own Catholic faith to them.

I always marveled at my Dad and how easy it was for him to make friends. He had the "gift of gab" as you all know. Dad could talk to you for hours on anything and everything including your faith in God. Many a time I would be at family gatherings and parties and there would be Dad...talking away with anyone and everyone. He had a way of touching people's hearts. Sometimes I would see people walking away from him in tears. Not because Dad was mean but because Dad always knew how to touch that person's heart the right way. Dad always made a person feel welcomed...at ease. He made an effort to know your name and the things you were interested in. That's what drew people to him. He always had a twinkle in his eyes, a smile on his face, and a strong hand shake. Where ever Dad went he made friends whether it was the butcher in the meat department, the receptionist at the doctor or dentist's office, or the people on the bus stop. I could remember working with my Dad at Alvord, Burdick, and Howson earning money for college. We would take the bus and El train to work every day. As we would stand on the bus stop waiting people would start crowding around waiting for the bus too. Dad wouldn't know the people, but by the time that bus came he would know every person by name.

All of you have memories of my Dad. From grade school to dances to church functions. Each of you has been touched by my Dad in one way or the other. Please keep in mind that you, too, have touched my Dad in many ways as well. From baking cookies and bread, stopping by to say "hi" or driving Dad to church - he was always grateful and moved by your kindness.

Our Christmases of Dad playing Santa and the hundreds of gifts that we found under the tree will no longer be the same. Nor will our other holidays as well. But we will remember Dad always for all the wonderful things he did in life.

The day before my Dad died he spent three hours talking to my Mom at the kitchen table. They talked about everything and anything. One of the things he said to my Mom was that my brother Marty had a baby girl. My Mom argued with him that Marty and Miki's baby wasn't due until October 19th. But Dad insisted that they had the baby and it was a girl. That night Mom and Dad went to bed before 8:30. My brother Marty tried to call them to tell them they had the baby a little bit ago and it was a baby girl named Netta. Dad never did get to hear Marty's message...but he knew.

In closing let me leave you with this thought: My Dad was a WWII veteran. He served as a Corporal in the Air Force and Army for 2-1/2 years. He enlisted at Fort Sheridan. He was an airplane/engine mechanic working on C-47 engines and a marksman with carbine. He fought in 5 Battles: Rome-Arno, Southern France, Normandy, Northern France, Ardennes, Rhineland, and Central Europe. He was decorated with the "European-African-Middle Eastern Theater Ribbon with one silver battle star, with 2 bronze battle stars, and 2 overseas service bars good conduct". He was Honorably Discharged in 1945.

There are no medals given out to parents. But if I were to give my Dad a medal it would have been a battle star medal for raising us five children and medals for being a wonderful husband to my Mom. We're going to deeply miss you Dad. We love you.

Love,

To the Lizak Family,

I just wanted to put down a few words. It's hard to believe he is gone. All the memories I have. The biggest are that of him as Santa. Mr. L. would come over on Christmas Eve. He would come in to our house dressed to the max. I could just see him sitting there handing out all the goodies. He knew all the names and all the songs. For years I had no clue as to who it was. After I found out I started asking questions. My Dad would pick him up. He would get dressed down stairs and come in the front door. He would put walnuts in his mouth just to hide his voice. The he would make other stops. Only a man with a heart of gold would leave his home on Christmas to play Santa for others. I also remember when he played for my sister Donna's kids. Not sure who was happier...Mr. L. or the kids. Also the way he would greet people. I will never forget the way he would greet me...with a two-handed shake, a huge smile, and a "How are you Master Ronnie?" A kinder, gentler man I have never met. I can just picture him in his red suit playing Santa for all God's Little Angels. Yes, there is a Santa...you know him as Dad. He will be missed by us all. As you know I now play Santa. As hard as I try I will never be able to equal...only to try to imitate the man that I know as the one true Santa.

Love Ya All,

I just wanted to express my deepest condolences to Gene and her family. I was in dismay when i heard of his passing. You all are in my thoughts and prayers! God bless!

Carey Kornstein. (grand daughter of Virginia Adamiec)

October 10, 2008


Dear Uncle Gene:

I will miss you very much. Your smile and laughter could fill an entire room. You had that way with words that gave an affectionate laughter. Today, people don’t realize and appreciate a person with the gift of gab & how wonderful it is to possess those qualities. To be able to tell a joke and remember the punch line. Yes, I will say you were the comedian in our family. You made my Mom Trudy laugh so hard that she literally would have pain in her sides and tears coming from her eyes. You had that same affect on her Sister Helen and Mother Lottie Gorynski. In these times that we live in we all need to laugh just a little bit more and enjoy life. People are so serious today that they forget to smile and bid people a good day! I think it’s sad. I also remember hearing from my Mom about what a fine dancer you were and the fun both of you had dancing. I know now on what side of the family I get the gift of dancing. I merely love to dance even to this day. It’s a shame that such ballrooms no longer exist. That allowed people that sheer enjoyment of the art of dance. Whether they were as graceful as Fred Astaire & Ginger Rodgers or that they danced for the fun of it. However, I am happy that “Dancing with the Stars” is so very popular. I wanted to thank you for always making me laugh, putting a smile on my face, & making me feel so welcomed. Oh, yes and thanks for dancing with me on my Wedding day and standing in for my Dad. Now, you know how very special you made my Wedding day for me. Please, say Hi to my Mom and Dad (partner) and give them a Big Chicago Hello!

God Bless you always,


Kathleen Nemec

P.S. Aunt Gen, Tony (Donna), Marty (Michal), Joe, Maryanne (Kevin), & Angela my deepest sympathy to all of you at this sad time and to all of his sweet grandchildren.

Genevieve:

Gene was a great guy. He will be missed! Know that I am with you and your family in spirit.

Love, Sophie Luczak