Passings

Rich Christoff, November, 2014

 Richard Wayne Christoff, 64, beloved husband, father, son, brother, and friend, passed away on November 29, 2014, while on a family vacation in California surrounded by his loved ones. He was a graduate of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and the Loyola University School of Law. Richard was an accomplished pianist and loved sharing his enthusiasm for music with his family and friends. Among his many other interests were travel, watching old horror and French detective movies, completing the NY Times crossword puzzle, sampling wines and cheeses, experimenting with unique cuisine, biking, and making people laugh at his expense. Richard always loved Chicago and was thrilled that his children chose to stay in the area where he saw them often. Richard was a dedicated attorney at the Law Offices of Sanford Kahn, Ltd. He began each day with a smile on his face and devoted his life to ensuring that his family and friends shared his happiness. Richard is survived by his wife Mary, his children Matthew, Anna, and Erin, his mother Adelle, and sisters Pamela (Ronald) Volkoff and Deborah (Michael) Cullen. A private memorial for family and friends is planned for Sunday. Because of his love of music, donations can be made in his name to Foundations of Music, 209 W Goethe St, Chicago, IL 60610.

Published in Chicago Tribune from Dec. 4 to Dec. 5, 2014

- See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/chicagotribune/obituary.aspx?pid=173363818#sthash.mlYrf5EX.dpuf

Tom Monico, February 2015

Thomas F. Monico, age 64, of Glenview. Beloved husband of Linda Monico nee Ullmann; loving father of T.J. (Rebecca) Monico and Laura Monico (fiancé Maxwell Penning); proud grandfather of Weston James Monico; dear son of Lucy and the late Donald Monico; dear brother of Michael D. (Tricia) Monico; fond uncle to many nieces and nephews. Memorial Service will be private. Memorials may be made to Erika's Lighthouse (897 1/2A Green Bay Road, Winnetka, IL 60093), JDRF Illinois (1 North LaSalle Street #1200, Chicago, IL 60602), or Misericordia (6300 North Ridge Avenue, Chicago, IL 60660)

Condolances can be viewed and accessed at the link below:
http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/chicagotribune/obituary.aspx?pid=174209187


Tom was a great Monarch; he was true to his friends. There are a few of us that were his lifelong friends from grammar school, Mendel and then stayed connected to the end. He was a great organizer and many of us are are still recovering from White Sox opening games.

There are many, many funny stories to be recalled but the real story is that he did some great things in his professional life in providing affordable housing.

William Tennison Jr.       June 2014

William "Bill" Tennison, age 63; of Charlotte, NC and Chicago, IL. Bill was a seasoned financial executive, voracious reader, and avid golfer who will be remembered for his patience, kindness, and strength of spirit. He was the cherished father of Richard Tennison and Laura (Michael) Bieselin; caring brother of Thomas Tennison and Diane (Ed) Szofer; fond uncle of three nieces and two nephews; and treasured friend to many; preceded in death by his parents, William J. Sr. and Elsie (nee Luick) Tennison. Funeral Mass Friday June 20th at 10:00 am, St. Isaac Jogues Parish, 306 W. Fourth St., Hinsdale, IL; entombment to follow at Queen of Heaven Mausoleum, Hillside, IL.

Published in Chicago Tribune on June 19, 2014

- See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/chicagotribune/obituary.aspx?pid=171408250#sthash.LGt1NfWh.dpuf

Pictures from Golf and Mendel 68 HOF

The change in venue to Gleneagles has drawn a few more golfers but there is always room for more.

Below are an assortment of golf outing pictures form the last several years.

January 2015 Update

Did not realize I had taken off so long, I will try to get something up in this blog every couple months or at least every Mendel event.

We have had several golf outings and a reunion dinner since the last post.

At the last reunion dinner, we had the pleasures of Gerry Zajac attending; he is still in Chicago area, far western suburb and is  physicist.

MIKE GARVEY, our Veterinarian in NYC is the newest announced selection for the Mendel Hall of Fame. Prior posts have talked about Mike's efforts with the service dogs at the WTC site. He is on the mid-East side of Manhattan and loves to entertain fellow 68ers.

More to follow........

Ron Kanzulak - RIP

Ron passed very suddenly on Monday August 26, 2011.
Ron will forever be remembered as being the target of Mr. Georgikis' expletive every day in Algebra: "gonzalak, I give you jug!" He was a great basketball player and was on the 1968 Lightweight Catholic League Championship team
Dr. Ron received a Doctorate in Education from U of Illinois and was a school superintendent for many years.
Anyone who had seen or talked to Ron in the last 5 years would have bet a lot of money that he would around a lot longer.

He was still pitching in a hardball men's league and his only gripe was that they would only let him pitch 6 innings.
He was an active coach for his daughter's softball team and was activley working as a trainer.
He loved his children.
He and his 4some finished in a tie for 1st at the last Mendel Alumni outing and we had a great time at dinner.
Ron has his Mendel gym brick, his Mendel 1968 cap and a piece of the odd gym floor.I hope he told his kids what these things meant to him.

We all had the great benefit of many years of Ron's friendship.

One of the funnier stories that Ron told was finally getting even with the Band Director at Mendel who tried to tell Ron and the baseball team that their errant fly balls or overthrows were a disturbance to the His Band and would not be tolerated. Many years later that Band Director was lucky enough to report to Ron when he was an Asst Superintendent. Ron thought of many interesting ways to let good old Geno, the Band Director know that he had a very good memory.

Chicago Sun Times obituary ran on September 1st and is reprinted below.

Dr. Ronald Kanzulak

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Kanzulak, Dr. Ronald J. Age 61, Suddenly. Retired Superintendent with the Elwood, IL School District. Devoted father of Matthew, Brett (Jami), Alexis and Kyle Kanzulak. Proud grandfather of Tara and Blake. Loving brother of Richard Kanzulak and Sheryl Kanzulak. Loving companion of Cindy Kersey. Visitation Friday from 2 to 9 p.m. Funeral Service Saturday 11:00 a.m. at the Robert J. Sheehy & Sons Funeral Home, 9000 W. 151st Street, Orland Park. Interment Private. 708-857-7878 www.sheehyfh.com

2011 Golf Outing

The Class of 1968 had a great turnout. One of our groups with the help of Chuck Hamilton (67) tied for first with a 4 under score. They should have won - but if 4 "A" players all miss from 4 feet, well they knew it was not going to be their day. Paul Carvey, Ray Garza and Ron Kanzulak with Chuck - I really thought would win by 5 strokes - little did I realize that they thought they were playing anywhere but Tuckaway - the greens were stone hard and it took them a few too many holes to figure it out.