Michael W. Petruck

To Michael W. Petruck, 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 Michael, 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. Michael really mastered the art of living and had great fun in doing so.

Michael was born on September 9, 1928 at his parent's home, on Union Street in Chicago. Michael was raised with seven siblings - Nicholas, George, Virginia, Elizabeth, Helen, John and Valeria. Michael was the youngest sibling.

His parents were John and Anna Petruck, who raised Michael in their Canaryville neighborhood until the family moved to Downers Grove, Illinois, in 1948. Even as a child, Michael 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 a little bit of a show off, but in doing so, he succeeded in entertaining his entire family.

Michael was easygoing and fun loving. He managed to lighten the mood wherever he was. Michael simply enjoyed others’ laughter and the sounds of his friends and acquaintances having a good time. It could be said that for Michael, grades may not have been the most important thing to him, but he really did enjoy his school experience.

Michael 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 Michael to continually develop new relationships, ever widening his circle of friends. Michael 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, Michael was always right at home putting on a show among his friends. Michael utilized his interest in others as a great way to connect with them. While growing up, some of his best friends were Tony Ballay, John Cassin, John Laudont, Andy Trojanowski, Al Ziomek, Bob Butkiewicz, Ed Wassel, and Dale Gaucho,. Later in life, he became friends with Tom and Jessie Vaglica, Lil and Len Stanek, the Lomond neighborhood gang and the Peternells. But most of all, he was friendliest with the women at the office! Michael loved sharing life and having his home filled with people he knew.

The gift of being emotionally expressive and outwardly affectionate made Michael very easy to approach. He tried hard not to impose on his spouse. He was always sensitive to other people’s feelings, and that was especially true in marriage.

Perhaps the reason Michael 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. Michael was blessed with two children, Frances Ann and Cynthia Marie. They were also blessed with three grandchildren. And as we come to the new year start of 2012, names and ages are John (31), Michelle (27) and Breanne (22). Great Grandchildren; Blake (4 mo.) and soon to be baby of Michelle, due January 25, 2012. Michael 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. Michael's compassionate side prevented him from being a strict disciplinarian, 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, Michael had a knack for turning some of those nasty old chores into games.

At work, as in life, Michael was a real “people person.” He had a very successful way of dealing effectively with others, and his enthusiasm and energy was often contagious. His primary occupation was as an accountant and later transferred into the R & D Laboratory. He once decided to walk through the office in his lab coat with a nerf football on his shoulder imitating Igor. He was employed by Amurol Products in Naperville, IL, a division of Wrigley Co., who manufactured sugar free gums and sugar free candies. He retired from Amurol in 1983.

Michael served in the U.S. Army, in Okinawa, Japan during the Korean War. Through his hard work and dedication, he achieved the rank of PFC(T), and discharged on June 9, 1953.

Michael enjoyed his leisure time by taking part in various hobbies. His favorite pursuits were playing card games such as Pinocle, Uno, Farkle and going to the casino. He also enjoyed crossword puzzles and watching cartoons, especially Tom & Jerry and Bugs Bunny.

Michael was also something of a sports fan and enjoyed watching his favorite events whenever he got the opportunity. Tops on his list were Cubs baseball and golf.

Vested with a deep concern for spiritual development, Michael recognized that his faith was important to him throughout his life. He was a member of Saint Joan of Arc Catholic Church, in Lisle, Illinois, since 1948.

Living life in the fast lane suited Michael just fine. It is no surprise that he loved to travel and to visit new and different places. He was impulsive and willing to try anything once, and be ready at a moment's notice to just get up and "do and go" wherever. Favorite vacations included Las Vegas, Arizona, Ireland, St. John Virgin Island and Caribbean cruises.

Michael was a lover of animals and cherished his pets, enjoying them almost as much as he enjoyed being around other people. One of Michael's favorites was Fritz, a German Shephard. As a boy, he had a cat named Topsy, and later in life he had a cat named Yo Yo. His family was rounded out by the family dog Peaches.

Michael believed that you had to experience life, and his life in retirement was no different. With his boundless energy and a desire to get the most out of life, Michael remained busy with people and projects. In retirement, he found new pleasure in vacationing and visiting the local Dunkin Donuts shop, and continued having fun at the casino. Even in retirement, Michael stayed in touch with his old friends and, since he'd never met a stranger, he made plenty of new acquaintances as well.

Michael put up a fight against Small Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC). He is preceded in death by his wife; Caroline, and survived by daughters; Cindy and Fran, son-in-law; Dave, grandchildren; John and his wife Dawn, Michelle (soon to be Mom) and Breanne, great grandchildren; Blake and soon to be Baby Girl.

Michael 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. Michael W. Petruck lived life to its fullest and made everyone around him happier just for knowing him. He will be remembered with a smile.

Michael W. Petruck, beloved husband of the late Caroline, nee Butkiewicz; fun-loving father of Cynthia Mroczek and Frances (David) Secrist, Jr; proud grandfather of John (Dawn) Mroczek, Michelle Mroczek and Breanne Secrist; great-grandfather of Blake Mroczek and Baby Girl Mroczek due January 2012; son of the late John and late Anna (Palaghean) Petruck; dearest brother of the late Nicholas (late Florence), late George (Rita May) and late Virginia (Thomas) Bingham; “Godfather” to Donna Floerchinger and Marilyn Bruno; fond uncle of many other nieces and nephews. Special thank you to Season’s Hospice caretakers Kathy and Jackie and Dr. Maria Quejada and staff of Edward Hospital Cancer Center. Resting Monday 3-8 pm at Blake-Lamb Funeral Home, 5015 Lincoln Ave., Lisle, (on Rt. 53, ½ mile south of Ogden Ave. / Rt. 34) where funeral services will begin Tuesday 10:30 am and proceed to St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church for a celebratory mass at 11:15 am. Interment Clarendon Hills Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Season’s Hospice & Palliative Care, 606 Potter Road, Des Plaines, IL 60016 or Edward Hospital Foundation, 801 S. Washington St., Naperville, IL 60540. For info, call 630-964-9392.