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Lou Skizas

1932 - 2023

Lou Skizas obituary, 1932-2023, Savoy, IL

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Lou Skizas Obituary

Skizas, Lou

Lou Skizas, 92, of Champaign, Illinois, passed away peacefully on Friday, November 17th, 2023. Lou was born the youngest of four siblings on June 2nd, 1931, in Chicago to Greek immigrants Peter and Bessie Skizas. Lou spent the early days of his life in Chicago, graduating in 1948 from Crain Tech High School.

Lou was preceded in death by his parents, Peter and Bessie Skizas, his siblings Gus (Tessieann) Skizas, Georgia Cookas, and Mary Moore. He is survived by his son Louie, Nieces Ellen (Steve) Mannos, Beth Cookas, Cathy Cookas, Bette (Scott) Schieber, and Valerie (Tom) Papastephan, Nephew Peter (Stephanie) Skizas, brother in law Jay Moore, and many close friends.

Lou was drafted out of High School by the New York Yankees where he began a professional baseball career as an outfielder and third baseman. His Major League career spanned time with the New York Yankees, Kansas City Athletics, Detroit Tigers, and Chicago White Sox, where he was known as "The Nervous Greek" for his antics at the plate. Managerial great Casey Stengel once called Lou "the greatest natural-looking hitter I've ever seen.". Lou played winter ball in the Dominican and Puerto Rican leagues.

A United States Army veteran, Lou served two years in Germany and Italy during the Korean War.

After baseball, Lou turned his focus to education, obtaining his Ph.D in Kinesiology from the University of Illinois. His academic achievements are recognized with a bronze tablet displayed at the U of I Library.

Lou taught Health Sciences at Illinois State University for five years prior to taking a position at Champaign Centennial High School. Additionally, he was a "play by play" announcer for Illinois State University basketball, the hitting coach for the U of I Baseball team, and a scout for the Chicago Cubs.

Family and friends will fondly remember Lou as a man of high intelligence, quick wit, and gregarious personality, with a passion for living life to the fullest. He was a lifetime Chicago Cub fan as well as an astute sports enthusiast. Lou was one of a kind and will be missed.

The family has arranged for a private memorial service.

Cremation Rites have been accorded at Sunset Funeral Home and Cremation Center 710 N. Neil St. Champaign, IL. 61820

Please join his family in sharing memories, photos and videos on his tribute wall at www.sunsetfuneralhome.com

Sign Guest Book at legacy.suntimes.com

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Chicago Sun-Times on Nov. 30, 2023.

Memories and Condolences
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Jeffrey Lemm

February 26, 2024

Have all your Topps Baseball cards. A memory from my youth. Rest in Peace, Lou. A Husband, a Father, a Veteran, a Professional Athlete, a Scholar, a Teacher, a Coach. A full Life well lived. God bless you.

Bill Rose

February 26, 2024

I had Mr Skizas as my Health teacher. Right on time to learn the health and medical intricacies of the Birds and the Bees, as I was just beginning to experience those things firsthand. When the semester was over, but before grades had gone out, I saw Mr. Skizas in the gym. I went up to him and asked him if he could tell me what grade I got. He said " You got a B. But you could´ve done better." Thank you, Mr.Skizas. You have never been forgotten.

Jillanna D. Mercer

February 2, 2024

I will miss him.
Jillanna D. Mercer

TERRY KING

December 17, 2023

MY FAVORITE KC PLAYER. SAW LOU PLAY 8/4/1956 AT MUNICIPAL STADIUM, KC, MO.

Darren Taylor

December 12, 2023

I am Class of '92 and he was my health teacher. I always admired how he knew sports and did things "HIS" way. REST UP MR. SKIZAS.

Shaughnessy Rice

December 6, 2023

Lou was a special person. He will be missed by my wife and I.

Bonnie (Louies's Mom)

December 3, 2023

I went to a Kansas City Athletics baseball game on June 9, 1957. It was a beautiful sunny Sunday afternoon and I met the love of my life. Between innings a very handsome baseball player walked over to the stands, waved me down to talk to him and asked me for my telephone number. That handsome baseball player was Lou. We started dating, married three years later and little Louie followed a year after that. My heart has always been pledged to Lou and I never stopped loving him so my heart truly grieves over his passing. Lou, thanks for the years we had and all the fun memories and most of all for Louie, he is a great son.

Jean Gothard

December 3, 2023

I drank many cups of coffee and conversation with Lou. Always fun to talk with. I like the fact that in later years he would be working a crossword puzzle while dining out. Rest in Peace, Lou. Glad that out paths crossed.

Steve Katsinas

December 3, 2023

I remember fondly sharing my love for the Chicago Cubs with Lou at Katsinas Restaurant. Lou had wit and a love of good repartee.

May he rest in peace and may the Skizas Family be comforted in the knowledge of a race well run.

Peggy Lowe

December 1, 2023

Louie, Since we reflect the best of our parents, your friends in KC got to know the best of Lou through you. No matter our age it´s never easy to lose a parent and my heart grieves for your loss.
Peggy

Cary Kalant

November 30, 2023

In loving memory of a wonderful person. We will love you and miss you always.

Bill McGeary

November 30, 2023

Hi, that is Jeff Vicek, I misspelled his last name, Jeff also a friend of Lou's and debate partner! We loved Lou!

Dave Wuethrich

November 29, 2023

My condolences to Lou´s family. I always enjoyed having him around the Illini baseball team even though I was a pitcher and he thought hitters were more intelligent and we were always throwing "meat". He did have a way of instilling confidence in the hitters!
RIP Lou!

Dave Wuethrich
Illinois Baseball `82

Jim Mendelson

November 29, 2023

Louie, Terribly sorry about your dad's passing. He was a unique guy and we were lucky to have had the chance to meet him (as well as hear all about him from you). Condolences to you and the rest of your family

Jim and Amy Mendelson

Wendy Skizas

November 29, 2023

Planting a tree for Big Lou to keep his memory alive here on Earth. Naming a star in his honor too. May it shine as brightly in the heavens as it did here on Earth. An unforgettable character, Big Lou, thanks for the smiles.

Earth & Sky Memorial

Wendy P. Skizas

Sent Flowers

Bill McGeary

November 28, 2023

I knew Lou as far back as 1981 and he helped our team in the EI league with batting coaching, I would often run into him at a coffee place or pub and it was always fun as we d get into fun arguments usually around baseball, I and my friend Jeff Vivek will miss him greatly. My condolences to his family.

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Funeral services provided by:

Sunset Funeral Home & Cremation Center - Champaign

710 N Neil St, Champaign, IL 61820

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