Mr. Ivan Lizcano

To Mr. Ivan Lizcano, the entire world was a stage. An expressive, optimistic, and uninhibited individual, he was a performer in the theater of life. To everyone around him, he seemed to be eternally happy, and he willingly shared that joy with anyone whose life he touched. For Ivan, bringing out the best in any situation was as easy as offering a smile, a witty remark or the twinkle of an eye. And with just those simple gestures, he could evoke the most pleasant of emotions. Ivan really mastered the art of living and had great fun in doing so.

      Ivan was born on March 12, 1960 at At Home in Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, Mexico. His parents were Ricardo and Dolores "LOLA" Lizcano. Ivan was raised in Southeast side of Chicago, Illinois. Even as a child, Ivan had the ability to lift the spirits of all those around him. He was raised to be warm, caring and friendly. He couldn't help but capture everyone's attention. He was definitely stood out in the crowd, but in doing so, he succeeded in entertaining his entire family.

      Always a good playmate, Ivan was easygoing and fun loving. He managed to lighten the mood wherever he was, even during family squabbles. He seemed to have a knack for bringing compromise and erasing tense situations around the house. Due to a generous dose of common sense, Ivan managed to find a satisfying solution to basic problems. Ivan was raised with eight siblings. He had Roxanne, Richard, Dalila, Nydia, Henry, Mark, Eunice, Erick.

      All of Ivan's playful good humor carried over into his childhood. He was possessed with an outgoing personality, a lively imagination and a mellowed enthusiasm for life that allowed him to be constantly on the go. As a result, Ivan experienced a rather active childhood, and this suited him very well. He took part in Jeet Kune Do . In his spare time he liked practicing martial arts. Ivan's memorable achievements included was receiving the black belt in Jeet Kune Do.

      Ask anyone who knew him from school and they would tell you that Ivan was a genuine person. Ivan simply enjoyed others' laughter and the sounds of his friends and acquaintances having a good time. To Ivan, grades was very important thing to him, and he really did enjoy his school experience. Since experience was Ivan's best teacher. He enjoyed hands-on learning and applying the “practical” approach to knowledge, rather than getting caught up in “theory.” Ivan graduated from Bowen High School in 1978. He enjoyed some courses more than others, having favorite classes and teachers. His favorite class in high school was English, Reading, Art. Very well know, and admired.

 The gift of being emotionally expressive and outwardly affectionate made Ivan very easy to approach. On Saturday August 8, 1981 at 10:30a.m. Ivan exchanged wedding vows with Victoria Martinez in City Hall located in Chicago, Illinois. Than two years exactly on the same date, Ivan and Victoria exchanged vows through the Roman Catholic Church at Evergreen Chapel located in FT Lewis Washington. He tried hard not to impose on his spouse, although if he ever was ill she always stood by his side and took very good care of him. Ivan was loving, caring and very sensitive when it came to his wife, when Victoria became ill Ivan stood by her side and took very good care of her. Ivan and Victoria's marriage was filled with Love and Wonderful Memories that will never ever be forgotten; it was as if they were born into this world destine to be with each other forever. Ivan and Victoria did things together, and his message that he wrote to his wife below shows how much LOVE that was shared in their marriage;

To Vicky

I would like to say in Big Plain Words.

I LOVE YOU VERY DEARLY!!!

To the one and only beautiful, and very sweet, kind,

Gentle and loving wife of mine. You are that Special

Person in my life, that I want to spend the rest of my

life with, tell we grow old together. You have filled a

very big whole in my heart and I'm really glad, that

one person is you! I was very lonely, before I met

you and you filled my emptiness with

LOVE I NEVER HAD.

I will always be there for you through thick and thin.

I LOVE YOU DEARLY

Ivan

Perhaps the reason Ivan related so well to children was the fact that he never really completely grew up himself. The ability to be just a “kid at heart” helped him in raising his own children. Ivan was blessed with two wonderful children, Son, Michael (Daddy's Boy), and Daughter, Rosa (Daddy's Girl). Ivan was so proud of his children, and never stop talking about them. Ivan said that was the best gift he received from his children was when they decided to follow his foot steps, of getting their Criminal Justice Degree and pursuing Law enforcement. Ivan had the ability to focus his attention on the present moment. If he was spending time with the kids, that's where all of his attention was directed. Ivan was very strict disciplinarian, but Ivan also had a compassionate side, and he could turn just about any situation into a playful, learning experience. He could spend hours entertaining them with fun and creative play. In fact, Ivan had a knack for turning some of those nasty old chores into games.

Ivan was the armed forces, the Army. He served overseas in South Korea, and Japan, and in the United states he was station at Washington, Wisconsin, and Illinois. Ivan's recollection of the service was consider happy times and very much enjoy each and every moment of the service, and by his side was his wife Victoria though thick and thin. Ivan even participated in the USO shows, as his wife Victoria was a coordinator for the recreational center overseas. Ivan had lots of fun at these events, and all the food you can eat. Through his hard work and dedication, he achieved the rank of Sargent. He received several awards including a Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, Expert Qualification Badge (M-16), Over Seas Service Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon.

 Ivan pursued college after serving in the Army, where his imagination could run free. He was viewed by many of his classmates as being a creative, artistic person. Ivan was usually found at the center of things, whether it was during class or in extracurricular activities. He was a jovial person who loved to share his passion for fun with others. But for Ivan, life was not a case of all play and no work. Ivan relished the task of putting his imagination to work in class. He was able to discover new and different ways of answering problems and creating unusual and different solutions. Ivan went on to earn several degrees from all different areas, Ivan truly enjoyed learning. He even went on to earn his Criminal Justice Degree. He also pursued graduate school, earning his Law Degree. His favorite courses were Law. His favorite professor was Chief Laurence Scott. Learning about all the Laws.

      Ivan never actually encountered a stranger in his dealings with people. He was drawn to individuals and crowds, using his gregarious, adaptable and outgoing personality to captivate his audience. This quality allowed Ivan to continually develop new relationships, ever widening his circle of friends. Ivan delighted in his role among all his acquaintances, because he viewed them all as potential spectators for his performance. Whether it was a story, a joke, a song or just plain fooling around, Ivan was always right at home putting on a show among his friends. Ivan utilized his interest in others as a great way to connect with them. While growing up, some of his best friends were John Trevino and still is. Later in life, he became friends with Stuart Bailey (Stewie), Greg Booth. Ivan loved sharing life and having his home filled with people he knew and felt comfortable with.

     At work, as in life, Ivan was a real “people person. ” he had a very successful way of dealing effectively with others, and his enthusiasm and energy was often contagious. Ivan liked to see himself as something of a virtuoso. When dealing with various projects and problems, Ivan was an adaptable realist, using his common sense and trusting his experiences and impulses to uncover the correct answer. Ivan's talent for being a down to earth thinker, allowed many around him to see Ivan as an excellent problem solver. His primary occupation was machinist and officer. He was employed for 21 years at CTA as a Machinist Leader, and Ivan was to receive a promotion for the Foreman position in July 2008. Ivan worked in every single area that you can think of in the CTA Rail System shops. Ivan loved learning and was able to adapt to any situation needed with in the CTA. When Ivan saw something not working correctly he would review it thoroughly and than design what is needed and make the item and put it straight to work. Ivan was truly one of a kind. Ivan worked in the Law Enforcement Field for over 21 years in different areas. Ivan also worked over 12 years at Cicero Police Department. Ivan enjoyed working with the tactical unit on several undercover investigations. Ivan was certified with the state and in charge of the Bike Unit. Ivan Loved working with the Police Department he look at this as more of enjoyment instead of a job.

          Ivan enjoyed his leisure time by taking part in various hobbies. An “arts and crafts” type, Ivan liked designing and creating to make things. He even design the windows in the house that he and his family live in. He was always doing something in the house as his made a table add on to the deck for barbeque's and even topped it off with a covering so the wood would not damage. Ivan even enclosed the porch for extra storage. All Ivan had to do was put his mind to something and it would work. He would even go out of his way to assist anyone that needed something for there house and if it was not available Ivan would make the item and put it to good use. His favorite pursuits were building model cars, collecting Cop cars, collection Superman, Batman items and all the marvel comics. But most of all his Harley Davidson Motorcycle. Ivan and his Wife Victoria always went on rides together and trips together on the Harley Davidson Motorcycle. Ivan enjoyed the rides and the open roads. Ivan was open and willing to share his interest with others.

      Ivan felt excited and challenged by sports. Even if he wasn't the best, Ivan loved to participate and thoroughly enjoyed the competition and the pleasure of being around other people. Ivan relished the opportunities where he could make an impact, and he would often push himself to play above his abilities. A quick thinker who understood the basics, Ivan never seemed to get caught off guard, even when confronted with unexpected conflict. In high school, Ivan played Karate. Ivan was also something of a sports fan and enjoyed watching his favorite events whenever he got the opportunity. Tops on his list were football and Karate.

      Ivan had an endless appetite for new and different activities. He was always ready to join in the fun and add his flair and energy to an organization. Because of his personality, his humor, and his ability to get along with everyone, Ivan's service was greatly valued by the organizations to which he belonged. In high school, Ivan was a member of the education and karate. Throughout his later years, Ivan was an active member of the Hog Chapter, Windy City Lama.

      Naturally outgoing and generous, Ivan was regularly doing things for others. For him, the gift of giving to others was second nature. Though he never set out to gain individual recognition, Ivan was given accolades for his many and varied accomplishments throughout his life. Ivan even received letters from schools in Naperville for turning in a famous turtle that mysteriously walked away. Although the school wanted to give Ivan the reward money Ivan said merely "I was doing my job" and thanked the school for their kind notes and letters. Some of his most prestigious awards included Trustworthy, Dedication, and Loyalty to the Job.

      Living life in the fast lane suited Ivan just fine. It is no surprise that he loved to travel and to visit new and different places. He was naturally curious about other parts of the world and loved the real life adventure that came from visiting them. He was impulsive and willing to try anything once. Ivan enjoyed spending time away with his wife Victoria and son Michael and daughter Rosa. Ivan's favorite vacations included going to Mexico, Florida, Wisconsin, and Hawaii.

      Ivan was a lover of animals and cherished his pets, enjoying them almost as much as he enjoyed being around other people. One of Ivan's favorites was Killer, the German Shepard. They were best friends for 2 years, & Killer had passed. His family was rounded out by his Rotweiler named Killer and a German Shepard named Rocky.

      Ivan passed away on April 20, 2008 at US Route 20 and West Union Road Marengo, Illinois. Ivan was involved in a Motorcycle accident that was caused by the other two wreckless and irresponsible automobile drivers. He is survived by his beloved Wife Victoria, Son Michael, and Daughter Rosa. Services were held at Woodlawn Funeral Home. Ivan was laid to rest in his home.

      Ivan brought joy to all of those around him. He never had a mean bone in his body. He loved to have a good time and was an eternal optimist, always looking on the bright side of things. He loved to share his energy, wit, and his zest for all of his activities with his friends and family. Mr. Ivan Lizcano lived life to its fullest and made everyone around him happier just for knowing him. He will be remembered with a smile.