Roger A Basick

On August 4th, 1942, Roger was the second son born to John and Jennie Basick in Chicago, Illinois, at Douglas Park Hospital. He grew up in Chicago Ridge, Illinois, and attended Chicago Ridge Public School. Roger was a bit disruptive in school, and a call went home to his mother, and she refused to believe it. Jennie told the story that she couldn’t believe. The teacher said her quiet Roger was actually a class clown! So his mom made a surprise visit to the school, peeked in the window during class, and saw it for herself—he was standing on the desk entertaining the class! His 6th-grade report card reflects that he received a D in how he spent his leisure time and was passed on to both 7th and 8th grade with probation. He did go on to high school in Blue Island. Roger almost did not pass shop class. He often told how he had to do some cleaning for the shop teacher just to get a passing grade. Despite all that, he found his passion as an automobile and diesel mechanic. He was brilliant and could fix just about anything.

It was in high school he met the love of his life, Karen. He told daughter-in-law Carey about the first time he laid eyes on her… He said, “Wow! What a woman!” They were married for 56years. In those years, they raised four great kids Michael, Michelle, Roger, and Bret. He loved his in-law kids Bob, Carey, and Joanna like his own. His grandkids Bobby, Jessi, Justin, Riley, Cole, Nathan, and Vinny, were the absolute joy. Roger was all about family and loved holidays and parties with his siblings and his nieces and nephews, Christine, Jay, Renee, Ronnie, Randy, April, Jennie, Greg, and their growing families.

Roger was a perfectionist. He took his time and was never in a rush. After all, he was one of the originators of “Running on Basick Time.” He was a man of few words, but when he did speak, everyone listened. He was usually able to silence his kids with a simple look. But if they kept bickering, he used just five little words – “Put a cookie in it!”

Roger and Karen both loved music and for a long time Mondays were music lessons and date night. Roger played the guitar for years and was quite good. After work and before dinner you’d often find him in his black chair plucking away.

Roger, like Karen, had his pilot’s license and enjoyed flying from Howell Airport. He loved cars and was a member of both the Oldsmobile and Pontiac Clubs. He owned many cars over the years from Oldsmobile’s, Chevys, Fords and Pontiacs. He was always able to diagnose a problem. He was our family’s own Click and Clack Brother.

It is an understatement to say that Roger will be deeply missed by all who loved and knew him.

A visitation will take place from 11:00am to 12:00pm on Saturday, October 23rd, 2021 at Blake Lamb Funeral Home, located at 4727 W. 103rd St. Oak Lawn, IL. A funeral service will take place in the funeral home chapel at 12:00pm. Interment Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Alsip, IL.