Surprise Car Parade Planned For WWII Vet On His 95th Birthday

EVERGREEN PARK, IL — Well-wishers are invited to take part in a surprise car caravan to wish an Evergreen Park World War II veteran a happy 95th birthday. Cars will line up at the Evergreen Park Pantry on the northwest corner of 98th Place and Washtenaw Avenue at 12:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 10. The parade will proceed to Frank Brzeczk’s house in the 2700 block of West 98th Place at 1 p.m.

Like the famous Fighting Sullivans, Frank along with his seven brothers proudly served their country in World War II. Frank joined the Army and fought in the infantry during World War II. They all came home.

Frank was raised with 12 brothers and sisters in Chicago’s Roseland neighborhood. He married his late wife, Cornelia Onderwater, in 1947 and moved Evergreen Park. Their first home was on the site of Northeast Elementary School. The house was torn down and Frank and Cornelia, who died in 2015, moved to their present home.

Frank and Cornelia raised seven children —Frank Jr. (deceased 2017), Connie, Thomas, Judy, Jackie, Timothy and Ronald. All seven attended Southeast, Central and Evergreen Park Community High School.

Frank is the only surviving brother in his family, along with two sisters. He is blessed with 19 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.

The caravan is surprise, so if you’re a neighbor reading this, don’t tell him. His daughter, Judy Gale, said her dad isn’t much of a social media guy. They created a private Facebook group for him to visit his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, whom he hasn’t seen in person since the pandemic started.

“He thinks were doing something but has no clue,” Judy said.

If you can’t make the car caravan, you can send Frank a birthday card at:

Frank Brzeczk
℅ Judy Gale
1140 Denny Ave.
Mokena, IL 60448

Frank is going strong at 95 and has a daily exercise regimen. He loops around his basement walking between 10,000 and 15,000 steps a day, and then hits the stationary bike and rowing machine.

“He does it for my mother,” his daughter said.

Tr. Mark Marzullo is helping with the arrangements. The Evergreen Park fire and police departments will participate, and there will be some restored military vehicles. Representatives from Honor Flight will also be on hand to help Frank celebrate the big 9-5.

Participants who plan to linger afterward to visit with Frank are asked to wear a face mask.