Obituary: John C. McGuire

Obituary published and funeral arrangements entrusted to the care and direction of the Fred C. Dames Funeral Home and Crematory

John C. “Jack” McGuire

John C. “Jack” McGuire passed away peacefully at the age of 86 on Thursday, January 2, 2020. He was born on May 12, 1933 in Joliet, IL to Emmett J. and Mildred A. (nee Clark) McGuire.

Jack was a parishioner of St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church in Joliet, a 1951 graduate of Joliet Catholic High School. Jack attended Joliet Junior College where he was inducted into the Football Hall of Fame. He then entered the United States Army where he was stationed in Germany during the Korean War with his brother Jim. Upon completing his tour with the United States Army, he enrolled in Colorado State College and graduated in 1958. Jack was a member of the football team for both Joliet Catholic High School and Colorado State College.

He was a member of the American Legion Post 1080, the Irish-American Society of County Will, and the VFW Cantigny Post 367. He volunteered for Meals On Wheels and Cornerstone, as well as various other community organizations.

Jack was elected as a Democratic member to the Illinois House of Representatives. He represented the 86th District from 1990 to April 2012 and served as Assistant Majority Leader, former Chairman of the House Aging Committee, and was a champion of senior issues. He also received in 2012 the Larry Walsh Lifetime Achievement Award. Prior to his election to the House, McGuire served as Supervisor in Joliet Township from 1982-1991, and a Trustee from 1973-1982.

Jack was an avid runner and completed the Chicago Marathon in 1986. He loved golf and taking family trips with all of his grandchildren to Siesta Key, Florida and South Haven, Michigan. He also enjoyed attending Joliet Catholic football games on Friday nights.

He is preceded in death by his wife, Marilyn J. “Mitzi” (Miller); his parents; one son, Thomas L. McGuire; one brother, Paul McGuire; one sister, Helen La Barre; second wife, Patricia; and numerous in-laws

Jack is survived by his loving children, Kathleen A. (John) Dougherty, Michael E. McGuire and Julie A. (Thomas) Sicinski.; grandchildren, Jillian (Fiance Sean Whitney), Patrick and Michael Dougherty, Thomas, Patrick (Liz), Michael (Amy) and Sean McGuire, and Alexander, Stephanie, Emily and Zachary Sicinski; great-grandchildren, Baird, Shae, and Henry McGuire; one great-grandson due in the spring; his twin brother, James E. (Judith) McGuire; sister-in-law, Marilyn A. McGuire; brother-in-law, James Miller; and sisters-in-law, Lois Bernhard and Ruth Ann Campbell. Several nieces and nephews also survive.

The family would like to extend a sincere thank you to Jack’s caregiver, Paddy, who came into his life not knowing what kind of friendship would develop. Paddy had a very deep connection with Jack and through conversation and shared music he played for him, he made every day of Jack’s life better than it could have been without him.

Visitation for John C. “Jack” McGuire will be held on Thursday, January 9, 2019, from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., at the Fred C. Dames Funeral Home, 3200 Black Rd. (at Essington Rd.), Joliet, IL. Funeral Services will be Friday, January 10, 2019 at 9:15 a.m. from the funeral home chapel to St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church, 18 Woodlawn Ave., Joliet, IL, where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. Interment will follow at Resurrection Cemetery in Romeoville, IL. In lieu of flowers please send donations in the name of John C. “Jack” McGuire to Alzheimer’s Association. For more information please call 815-741-5500 or visit his Memorial Tribute at www.fredcdames.com

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