Harvey Louis Hollek

Harvey Hollek, age 85, of Sarasota, Florida, passed away at his home on Friday, January 13, 2017 in the loving arms of his partner Lizbeth. He was born August 23, 1931 in Chicago, Illinois where he attended Von Steuben H.S. In his earlier years, he served in the Merchant Marines and later in the Marine Corp. He lived for many years in Barrington, Illinois where he raised his family, then moved for several years to Seattle, Washington before finally retiring in Sarasota, Florida. He was a highly resourceful, self-made man who led a full and adventurous life. He was loved and respected by all who knew him including countless friends from his travels around the world. In addition to being a loving and devoted partner, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, he was a man of many talents and interests. He was an accomplished self-taught pianist. His many other accomplishments were: restauranteur, author (having written 6 books), he earned a Black Belt in Judo and did professional modeling. He was also an experienced airplane pilot. Later in life he began a career in which he organized big-game hunts in such far-off continents as Asia and South America. He loved playing tennis and made many friends in Florida while playing the sport there. He was a bright and intelligent man with a thirst for learning. To all who knew him, he was a very positive-thinking and non-judgmental human being. He is survived by his partner, Lizbeth, his sons, Matthew and Yury, and his daughter, Geri. Also surviving are his grandchildren, Russell Alan, Alex Matthew, Zachary David, Eva Sarah, Brian Adam, and great grandchildren, Annabelle, Oliver, Max, and Jessica. Here was a great man who will be sorely missed. “