John Peter Croke Sr.

John was profoundly deaf from the day of his birth on June 5, 1946. Born in Milwaukee to the late John and Marcella Croke, he benefitted from parents, teachers, and extended relatives who understood his potential to lead an extraordinary life.

John excelled in sports (football, basketball, track and field) and academics while growing up in Shorewood, Wisconsin. He became an Eagle Scout, and received the American Legion Award at Shorewood High School in his senior year.

He attended the University of Wisconsin at Milwaukee for two years, but transferred to become part of one of the early cohorts of deaf students at the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) in New York, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering Technology in 1972.

In 1973, he married his soulmate, the late Jo Ann Maria Savage, who preceded him in death in 2008. Together they raised two hearing sons in Wheeling, Illinois, always putting their children at the center of their lives. John tended devotedly to Jo Ann through her battle with ovarian cancer.

John worked tirelessly to provide for his family. In 1990, after stints at Bell & Howell, Western Electric, and other jobs along the way, he was hired at Illinois Bell (which became AT&T), carrying out planning, drafting, and engineering duties until his retirement in 2012.

With Jo Ann, he enthusiastically supported his sons’ academic, extracurricular, professional, and personal interests. He loved serving as scorekeeper for their Little League teams, attending every baseball, soccer, football, and basketball game they played. John and JoAnn also delighted in cheering on Peter’s bass guitar performances in several Chicago bands, and Ryan in Lincoln-Douglas debate, choirs, and musical theater.

He relished participating in softball and bowling leagues with his deaf buddies, was an avid Milwaukee Braves (later Brewers) and Green Bay Packers fan, but he also rooted for the Cubs, Sox, Bears, and Bulls.

He saw Pope Francis in Italy during a 2014 Deaf Catholic tour and traveled to Hawaii in 2016 with Ryan’s family. He circulated petitions door-to-door and contributed to the social and political causes and candidates he believed in.

Above all, he encouraged the aspirations of his sons. He beamed with pride at Peter’s career as a computer programmer and Ryan’s work in government.

John adored his four grandchildren, teaching them ASL, attending their athletic, artistic, and school events as often as possible. He loved living with Ryan, Brook, the kids (and their dogs) in Springfield, where he moved following the birth of baby Jonas in 2015.

John is survived by his sister, Marcella Mathias (and her husband, Stu); his sons, Peter (and his partner, Ellen) and Ryan (and his wife, Brook); and his four grandchildren, Jonas (9), Henry (7), Annie (5), and Oliver (3 months). He is also survived by many beloved cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends across the country.

All are welcome to celebrate his life on Saturday, January 20, 2024, at Blessed Sacrament Church in Springfield. There will be a 10 a.m. visitation and an 11 a.m. Mass.

In lieu of flowers, contributions to the John & Jo Ann Croke Memorial Fund (to advance inclusion and dignity for people with disabilities) at the Land of Lincoln Community Foundation are appreciated. Donations are accepted online or by mail to 205 South Fifth Street, Suite 530; Springfield, IL 62701; c/o Croke Memorial Fund.

A celebration at St. Francis Borgia Deaf Parish in Chicago will be held in the near future.

The family is being served by Butler Funeral Home-Springfield, 900 S. 6th St., Springfield, IL