Obituary of Jack Stanislaw

John (Jack) Stanislaw, beloved husband of Susan Stanislaw, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on May 17, 2024. He is survived by his loving wife Susan, his devoted children Jason Stanislaw (Amy Peters), Corinne Dawson (Jonathan Dawson), Charmaine Butler (Chris Butler), and Adam Stanislaw, his cherished grandchildren Sofia, Jonas, Jackson, Adelle, Julia, and Charlie, and his dear brother Mike Stanislaw (Mary Ann O’Connell), beloved sisters-in-law Linda Stanislaw and Patricia Walker, and many nieces and nephews.

Jack’s greatest love was his wife, Susan.  They met in their high school English class in 1964, were married in 1969, and enjoyed 55 years of great adventures filled with love. They loved to travel together, exploring national parks and especially loved Banff, Glacier National Park, the Grand Tetons, as well as their special spot in Kauai, and trips abroad to England, Paris, and Italy.  They also enjoyed quiet time at home, walks in nature, and special dinners at Geja’s. 

Jack dedicated his professional life to education. He received his bachelor’s degree from Roosevelt University and his master’s degree from the University of Chicago.  Jack began his illustrious teaching career at North Chicago High School, where he spent a decade inspiring and guiding students in the study of English. His passion for education led him to Wheeling High School and Hersey High School, where he dedicated 25 years to shaping young minds through the exploration of literature and language. As a dynamic teacher, Jack deeply cared for his students and left an indelible mark on their lives. He was proud to receive the Outstanding Contributions to Education Award while teaching at Hersey High School.  He extended his influence beyond the classroom, serving as a tennis coach, yearbook supervisor, and debate coach, instilling in his students the values of teamwork, critical thinking, and creativity.

Upon retirement, Jack continued to share his wealth of knowledge and passion for learning at the College of Lake County, where he taught humanities courses for eight years. He also continued to devote his time and expertise to coaching the congressional debate team at Hersey High School, guiding countless students to articulate their thoughts and beliefs with eloquence and conviction, and repeatedly winning the state championship. 

Beyond his dedication to education, Jack was an accomplished photographer with a keen eye for capturing the beauty of nature and geometric shapes. He found inspiration all around him, and he was particularly fond of the Botanic Gardens.  He was a prolific writer and poet, expressing his creativity and insights through his words and images. He was also an avid golfer and tennis player, enjoying the challenge of competition among his friends as much as possible, and teaching his children and grandchildren how to play.

Jack's greatest joy in life was his family, especially his six grandchildren, whom he adored with all his heart. He never missed an opportunity to shower them with love and encouragement, leaving behind a legacy of warmth and affection that will endure through generations.  He loved to cheer them on at their games and activities, and he was always ready to play a game of Scrabble, badminton, Yahtzee, cards, or Cows.

In addition to his profound impact on his family and students, Jack will be remembered for his unique wisdom and wit, often sharing his "Jackisms" such as "Always expect the unexpected," "Wherever you go, there you are," "It's all easy when you know it," "Dirty skunks," “Pasta Fazoli,” “Pigs!” and "Cool it." These phrases embody his humor and wisdom and will continue to resonate with those who had the privilege of knowing him.

Jack was strong, steady, curious, and loving.  His kindness, intelligence, and zest for life touched the hearts of all who knew him, and his memory will be cherished forever.

A memorial service to celebrate Jack's life will be held at 1:00 PM on Wednesday May 29^th at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 121 E Maple Ave, Libertyville. Visitation will be from 4:00 – 8:00 PM on Tuesday May 28^th at McMurrough Funeral Chapel, 101 Park Pl, Libertyville. . In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Chicago Botanic Garden www.chicagobotanic.org/donate  in Jack's honor. Funeral info (847) 362-2626. Please sign the guestbook at www.libertyvillefuneralhome.com

Rest in peace, Jack. Your legacy lives on in the countless lives you've touched and the love you've shared.