Stanley W. Pasinski

Stanley Walter Pasinski, 85, born on October 16, 1937, in Chicago, Il, passed away on April 15, 2023, in Downers Grove, Il. Visitation and service will be at 11:30 until 3:30 pm, on Saturday, April 22, 2023, at Foran Funeral Home, 7300 W Archer Ave, Summit, IL 60501. A reception will follow immediately at European Chalet Banquets, 5445 S Harlem Ave, Chicago, IL 60638. Stanley is survived by his wife of almost 61 years, Lorraine; his daughter, Kimberly (Donald) Tatera; son, Steven (Carrie) Pasinski; his grandchildren: Sarah, Daniel, and Ella; and many loving inlaws, nieces, nephews, family members and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Anthony and Angeline (Gil) Pasinski and his brothers: Eugene , Edmond, and Henry. Stanley or Pash or Stash or Stan (The man of many names!) was born in Chicago on October 16, 1937. He grew up on the south side of Chicago, the fourth son of Polish immigrants trying to make a better life in the United States. Growing up Stanley lived a dual life, living in the back of the yards and a founding member of the rainbow club and when his family owned a tavern as well as living on a farm in St. Anne, Illinois, where he graduated elementary school. He attended Gage Park High School developing his many talents in science, math, history, and art, especially woodworking. He attended and participated in many boxing events at Davis Square Park. He developed his lifelong love of motorcycles while working at Matt Marzek’s Motorcycles on Western Avenue. Stanley eventually made his way to becoming a very skilled truck driver for companies such as L. Fish, Goldblatts, BeMac, and ABT. He was very active and supportive of his local unions, especially Teamsters Local 705. During these years, he developed some life long friends. In 1960, at the Coral Lounge on 47th Street, Stanley hit the jackpot and met Lorraine Maciag, thankfully forever changing his life path, for the better. They ate at Coney Island Hot Dogs on Ashland Avenue for their first date. Six months later, Stanley asked her to be his forever. We even have photographic proof! On April 28, 1962, Stanley and Lorraine were married at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church. They honeymooned by Greyhound bus to Mackinac Island, Michigan, to start their married life. In 1963, they purchased their first house on Wolcott Avenue. Using his talents of woodworking and carpentry, they remodeled their home, even adding indoor plumbing and a finished basement. On February 24, 1964, Stanley became a father to his daughter, Kimberly, and on August 7, 1968, his son, Steven. During that time Stanley even saved a neighbor from a burning house across the street and went with Lorraine, Henry, and Delores to Paragould, Arkansas, to recover their stolen Cadillac. In 1960, Stanley moved his family to 63rd Place. There he and Lorraine worked hard on many house and yard projects to complete their own slice of paradise. His carpentry skills were truly put to use: pool deck, picnic tables, chairs, and benches, garage workshop shelves and benches, basement remodel with the tiki bar and waterfall. Who doesn’t remember the awesome painted backyard table, chairs, and alley garbage cans: THE EMPIPE STRIKES BACK! Stan and Lorraine hosted many incredible parties for family, friends, and neighbors. The Halloween and Fourth of July parties were EPIC! M80, M80! Stan was not much for typical family vacations. Disney was NOT in his wheelhouse. Instead, if it was good enough for National Geographic it was good enough for his family. Driving in the self remodeled van or the Jeep Cherokee, off he drove the family to pan for gold, hike Mount Rushmore to look up George Washington’s nose, or rubber raft across Ute Lake in New Mexico where the wind NEVER stops. After his children were in college and married, he bought a Harley Davidson motorcycle at a police auction that was totally tricked out. Forget that it belonged to a drug dealer that went to prison. He, alone, and many times with Lorraine enjoyed riding it to Sturgis and surrounding western states. Several more bikes were to pass through Stan’s life to continue his riding in comfort and style. In 1997, Stan retired from truck driving. While at home he continued tooling around, especially to repair his beloved “Chicago Bears” of the front yard. Stan and Lorraine still enjoyed riding the motorcycle on the back roads here in Illinois, throughout the western states, and even trailered it behind their RV many times to Florida, for their annual winter getaways. Unexpectedly, in 2016, Stan contracted West Nile virus and was incapacitated for nearly two years, progressing from hospital to rehab to home, all the while Lorraine battled breast cancer. This led to their moving to Glen Ellyn to be nearer their son and family. In the last years, Stan dealt with declining health: congestive heart failure, kidney and liver problems, and COPD. In combination, these caused his death on Saturday, April 15. He was an interesting and talented man, he loved his wife and family in his own way and on his own terms. Ride free on the back roads, Stan.

Tributes

Stanley W. Pasinski

October 16, 1937 - April 15, 2023