Anthony D. Nowak, Jr.

Anthony is survived by his wife (Laura) of almost 40 years of marriage, his children; Robert, Natalie (Zachary), and Richard, his siblings; Margaret, James, Diane, Joseph, Mary Jo, and John and many brother and sister in-laws, cousins, nieces, and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents Anthony and Joanne Nowak and his sister Virginia. Anthony was born on August 8th,1956 in Chicago, IL. He grew up in The Bush neighborhood. His favorite childhood memory was going to Rainbow Beach and then heading over to Russell Square Park for a game with the “Rat Pack” (named by Alice Grabarczyck, which included his friends: Dave “Crazy,” Billie O’Whene, Porky, Larry, Steve “Chicho,” and Jerome “Juby”). Anthony’s first job was a paper route at age 12 and then he worked at his brothers’ paper stand at the gates of U.S. Steel on 83rd St. At 16, he started working at Sears on 79th Street in the Sporting Goods Department. After working at Sears until he was 24, he began working at U.S. Steel. When the steel mill closed, he went on to work at Georgia Pacific in Blue Island. Finally, Anthony got into the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District where he worked his way up to the position of Assistant Master Mechanic and was a Local 134 Electrician. Anthony and Laura shared classes together at Bowen High School. It is when they started working at Sears together that they truly became friends. They continued their friendship while students at UIC. Eventually, they married on September 12th, 1981. In 1987, Anthony and Laura moved to Midlothian where they immediately started their family. Anthony was an active parishioner at St. Christopher Church. He enjoyed reading his newspapers, solving crossword puzzles, watching anything that taught him something new, and getting every answer correct on Jeopardy. He loved every moment of skiing with his friends. He made friends that he considered family at the MWRD. He adored his in-laws, the Urdiales Family, who welcomed him into the family as their own. He also cherished his experiences traveling on family vacations and sharing family traditions (breaking oplatki and making tamales). Anthony worked extremely hard for everything he had. He was an excellent example of strength and perseverance; he fought very hard to stay on Earth with those he loved. He was a devoted Catholic, a good friend, a thoughtful family member, a selfless father, and a beautiful husband.

Please note: For the health and safety of all and in order to accommodate all family and friends, we ask that you keep your visit brief. The funeral home kitchen is closed to food and refreshments.

Visitation Saturday, June 19th from 3 until 8 p.m. with a chapel service at 7:30 p.m. at the KERRY FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION CARE CENTER, 7020 W. 127th Street, Palos Heights. Interment will be private.