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Roy Lesak Obituary
Lesak, Roy Robert 1933 – 2007 LIFElong "Paper Boy" The first job for many youth is a paper route. But for Roy Lesak, his paper route was just the beginning of a career in newspaper circulation that spanned more than 60 years. He transitioned from paper boy to truck helper while a junior at Morton High School, was hired full-time at The LIFE as the Assistant Circulation Manager in 1954, and promoted to Circulation Manager in 1969. Even after his retirement in 1991, Lesak returned to The LIFE to work part-time as a driver, delivering papers into his 70's. On February 25, 2007, Mr. Lesak died after battling cancer over the past six months. Throughout his illness, he encountered nurses, aides and therapists who had worked for him as newspaper carriers over the past decades. It was always a source of great joy and pride for him to have played a role in giving these people their start in the working world. He had an uncanny memory for names, addresses, and details such as which carriers were always late delivering their routes. Mr. Lesak was born in Chicago in 1933 to Bessie and Robert Lesak, and raised in Berwyn. In 1955, he married Marita Smith. Over the next several years, they had three daughters and moved to Brookfield in 1961, where he lived until his death. He gave his own daughters their start in the working world as well, having them count and roll coins collected from vending machines, and deliver open routes on Saturdays. They have vivid memories of rising at 5:00 a.m. to deliver papers, and being rewarded with a stop at Fingerhut Bakery when they finished at 9:00 a.m. They were proud that their father could roll newspapers without using rubber bands, and hit a front porch with a newspaper tossed from a moving vehicle. He was loved and respected by his coworkers at The LIFE, who were like extended family to him. He was active in his local community church, The First Congregational Church of Brookfield, in Girl Scouting, and bowled in several local bowling leagues over the years. He was particularly known for his quick wit and sense of humor. As someone who worked 6--7 days much of his life, he especially appreciated vacation, and loved a good road trip. He refused to consider travel by either plane or boat, but loved train travel and had been to California via Amtrak on a family vacation in the past year. As an avid Cub fan, he also enjoyed a bus tour last summer of Midwestern and Northeastern baseball parks that commenced and ended at Wrigley Field. He hoped and believed that indeed, all dogs go to heaven, and looks forward to reuniting with Boots, Cinders, Puff, Ben, Valentine, Maggie, Lacey and Harley. Mr. Lesak was preceded in death by his wife, Marita (2002); and sister, Elaine Sternad (2006). He is survived by his three daughters, Virginia (Randy) Jakoubek, Barbara (David) Karlin and Lori Lesak; by his grandchildren, Daniel (fiancee Mackenzie Korth) and Julie Jakoubek, Jesse and Cody Karlin; by his sisters-in-law, Elaine (Bert – d) Zellers and Margaret (Bruce) Kinney; and by nieces and nephews, Marjorie, Tom and Carl Sternad, Scott, Steve, Todd and Cara Zellers, Tracy McClain, Dana Kleckauskas, Brian, James and Jillian Kinney. Visitation Thursday, March 1, 2007, 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. and Friday, March 2, 2007, 10:30 a.m. to 11 a.m., at Hitzeman Funeral Home, Ltd., 9445 West 31st Street, Brookfield, Funeral Friday, 11 a.m. Interment Clarendon Hills Cemetery. Memorials to the American Caner Society appreciated. Information: 708-485-2000 or www.HitzemanFuneral.com 
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Memories and Condolences
for Roy Lesak
Cara Zellers
April 2, 2007
Uncle Roy:
I for sure know you have your angel wings by now, I rang a bell!!!! So after the horrible CUBS game today, do you think maybe you and REBE could play a little ANGEL in the Outfield and bring us a good season???
Luv you, and miss you!
Cara
Gunnar Walkenhorst
March 8, 2007
I was in Chicago during Christmas break of 2001 when i was an exchange student with the Karlins. Roy welcomed me in his home. He was very kind and really made me feel like i was part of the family. He always made everybody laugh and had a great sense of humor. It was a pleasure to have met him. He was a great person.
Jason Griffin
March 4, 2007
I loved taking care of Roy as a patient and knowing him as a friend. He was kinder than kind.
His doctor
Todd Zellers
February 28, 2007
My Uncle Roy will be missed so very much. He was more than an Uncle. He was my pal. He was like a second Dad when ours wasn't around. Always there for us. He helped our family out so much. My fondest memories are the picnics, getting to ride around in the Newspaper trucks and the Holidays we all got to spend with him. I hope He and Bert get to find some recliners to chill out in, so they can watch over us in comfort. My heart goes out to the whole family. Thanks for sharing him.
How you can show support
Cara Zellers
February 27, 2007
Ode To Roy
Uncle Roy what a great man
Really the best uncle we all could have
Gave some hugs that would make your eyes pop out
Loved the Cubs even when they'd strike out
Ballgames, parties and picnic's too
Dinner and lunch dates were great with him too
Roy and Bert what a pair
Often snoozing in Boppas chair
Countless Saturdays of pizza and Trivial Pursuit
He most definetly looked snazzy in a suit
Rebe and Roy what a treat
Togther again oh how sweet
Brother in-law, Uncle, Grampy, friend and Dad
Sure as heck wouldn't want us to be sad
Remember his jokes and all the good times we've had
I really don't think I ever saw him mad
Hes in a better place
Puttin a smile on a certain angels face
Hes gonna be missed!!!!
I love you UNCLE ROY!!!!
Dana Kleckauskas
February 27, 2007
My thoughts and Prayers are with the Family!
We will miss Uncle Roy tremendously. I have so many great memories of him. He took me to my first CUBS game and made a great spaghetti and cream corn dinner!
The Minardi's Mike, Kathy & Jim
February 27, 2007
Roy was the "American Pie"...the consumate Chicago newspaper carrier, the die-hard Cubs Baseball Fan, flanked by his loving, Lovely Ladies most of his life...Life doesn't get much better than that! Roy, is certainly "pitching" one home, tonight!
Tracy McClain
February 27, 2007
We will miss our Uncle Roy!!! At a time of death everyone tells you to remember the good memories, with Uncle Roy that is all that I have. I will remember the Circus, the countless family dinners and tickling him while he slept in the chair, and most of all the many jokes and pure joy of being around him. I also owe some of my most fine dining experiences to him.
Our whole family sends love and thoughts and prayers to the whole family.
SONNY SUNDBERG
February 27, 2007
GOOD FRIEND, GOOD MAN, WELL LIKED AND RESPECTED BY ALL WHO KNEW HIM. WE WILL ALL MISS HIM VERY MUCH. HIS FRIENDS THE CIRCULATION DRIVERS. SONNY, JASON, GEORGE, MOHAMMED, HAYWARD, DON, AND JOSE.
Gina Superczynski (White)
February 27, 2007
Roy was a wonderful man. He hired me at the LIFE newspapers and I've been there ever since. He will be so greatly missed. Everyone LOVED Roy. May God bring comfort to his sweet family.
Libby Patton
February 27, 2007
Roy was a great person, he will be missed very much. He was my fellow Cubs fan at work. God Bless the family and my prayers go out to you all
Gary & Cheryl Karlin
February 27, 2007
We will always remember the happy times shared last year with Roy and the whole family in Belmont. Roy and I had great memories as we shared our Chicago area stories, especially about the Cubs. Priceless and never to be forgotten. Our prayers and thoughts are with the whole Lesak family.
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for Roy Lesak
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Hitzeman Funeral Home & Cremation Services9445 West 31st St, Brookfield, IL 60513
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