Remembering you John on this 1-year Anniversary. Good times together, wonderful friendships, very much in common and loads of laughs through the years. I recall your last visit here to Massachusetts with Stas and the guys. We picked you guys up at the airport, the jokes began and didn't stop until we took you back to the airport on Monday.  Everything in-between was non-stop fun and entertainment. Cheryl, Christy & family, our hearts are with you as you also rekindle your fond memories of your husband & dad. May God bless all of you. Rest in Peace Foo! 

Furmaniak Family, 
I am so sorry for your loss of Foo.  My deepest sympathy to you and your family.  Foo was a great musician. RIP Foo.
God Bless,
Jo-Jo Malinowski 

Cheryl, so sorry to hear about John. Great guy; and I have so many good memories. Loved having the opportunity to play along side him.  You and your family have so many good times to remember. I am so sorry.  Kenny Pienta 

Many memories with the white eagles.  You were a sweet man.  Play on!

Dear Cheryl and Your entire extended Family, please know that our hearts are very heavy alongside all of Yours and we offer our Condolences and Hope You can now take comfort in the fact that the Good Lord is allowing " Our Foo " to rest in painless peace.
         OK Foo my Man , I bet You & Stas' will be quite capable of revving of the Finest Polka Band & Music the Great Heavens have ever heard
        " Adios Amigo," Love Tadz & Patricia

John and I shared our beginnings in the Back of the Yards neighborhood. In the early days we jobbed around as young musicians at all the Clubs throughout Chicago. In later years we would meet up on the road, out of state, each of us playing with our own bands and sharing the stage together. We had many great times together, we laughed, and we rekindled memories of days gone by. We will all miss you John. We pray for the Furmaniak & Krawisz families so they may get through this difficult time. 
John, may you forever Rest in Peace.  

The many memories of Papa and Noni at both Chicago Fire and JCA girls soccer games continue to warm my heart and make me smile They were steadfast in their presence and support for our girls. I can still hear Papa’s bellowing voice as he helped give constructive feedback to the team both on and off the field. On one of the many many trips that they always went on with the girl’s teams I learned of Papa’s military background and found a new and deeper respect for him. He cared about everyone and everything. I feel like our trips and games were complete with Papa and Noni on the sidelines. Your energy and your dedication will be surely missed Papa. We will be listening for your voice on the sidelines of games for many years to come. RIP Papa Foo

I was friends with John for a number of years and had the privilege of sharing the stage with him for many of those years. When we traveled with the APB,  we were roommates on the road. We worked well together and never had problems. I always heard about John's 3 children. He was so proud of them and the pride was spread evenly  among the 3. When JJ was in the minors, John would try to get the game on radio or check box scores. He was very proud of John when he got into the agent business. Then  there was Christy and Johnny in a successful business together. When the grandchildren came, he had more lives to follow. Whether it be sports or music, John was the proud Papa. Rest in peace my friend. You may be gone, but the memories will live on.

Best thoughts and prayers for comfort,  strength and peace to your family and many loved ones today, and  in all the days here forward, John.  Thank you for sharing Life's goodness with us.  May your soul rest in peace.

Sincerely,
Steve and Ev Fornek


Great  Accordion  player  Played   on   a   video   with   him    also  enjoyed   his   company   at  the   musicians   breakfast   club     Polkatively      Don  Ptak

To the entire Furmaniak family, we would like to express our sincerest condolences to you on the passing of "Foo". He was a great friend for many years and a true "Hellraiser". The Captain, Bill Dobrucki, and all the Hrukus wish to express our love and prayers to you all at this time. He will certainly be missed but he will live on in all our great memories of him throughout these many years. Take care and God Bless.

I was introduced to John through Stas Bulanda at a polka festival years ago.  Before I met him, my impression was that he was kind of a scary guy, big and gruff, but that impression certainly didn't last once you met him.  He had a wonderfully wry sense of humor and was an exceptionally talented accordionist, one of the first to cover bass lines on his accordion.   I will have fond memories of him.  My condolences to his family and friends.  Bobby "Z" Zagozda, Omaha NE

We were so blessed to get to spend so much time with Papa Foo over the years for family parties and sporting events. He was always so sweet to all of the kids, and would even give my children (Jaylen & Jojo’s cousins) baseball cards and dollar bills when he saw them.  He always made everyone feel like they were part of his family. He will be missed dearly! We love you all!
Love,
Jim, Devin, Bo, Ashlyn & Cade

I first saw John Furmaniak when he played with Stas Bulanda’s Average Polka Band in 1988. He was a solid accordion player with a left hand bass that was in the pocket along with the drums. The last time I saw him was at the IPA Convention in Buffalo, NY back in September of 2019, one week before my Dad died. It was heartbreaking to see what cancer did to him in his final years. My deepest condolences go out to his wife Cheryl, daughter Christy, and their entire family. I’m glad to see that John is no longer suffering. He’s now in a better place, joining that ever expanding polka band in the sky.  Rest assured, his legacy will continue on through the many recordings he played on. Thank you for your service to not only our Nation, but to the polka industry as well!

Mr. Furmaniak I going to REALLY MISS YOU!! Picking you up in the Mornings has been a Pleasure,our talks & sharing with me about your grandchildren & how EXCITED & HAPPY You were about there Sports. How you & Cheryl took your vacations how your kids the family would have pool & barbeque times you were my BEST CLIENT & YOU & Cheryl WERE ALWAYS ALWAYS GOOD TO ME!! I LOVE YOU & CHERYL I SALUTE YOU MR. JOHN FURMANIAK THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE!!🙏🙏

Cheryl, our heartfelt condolences go out to you and your family. John was such a great inspiration to all that knew him. He was, also, a patriot as shown by serving his country. He handled his illness with such dignity and acceptance. The love you had for John was so strong and was shown by the great care you gave him, always by his side. John will be greatly missed. His memory will forever live on in everyone's heart. With Love, Harry & Cheryl Walker

John, Jane Piotrowski

Deepest sympathy to the entire family for
your loss.  John was a great musician.  May
he now Rest In Peace with the Lord.


So sorry to hear about John "Foo".  My deepest sympathy to his family and friends. I have many great memories of the old days with the White Eagles.  Never a dull moment, that was for sure. RIP John 🙏 
Diane Stephens (Marzuchowski back in those days)
Cheektowaga, NY

It was son JJ's 1st Major League game at Wrigley Field; 
And we were all seated in a special box to cheer the talented rookie on!
Facing the top St.  Louis Cardinal pitcher Carpenter, JJ, the Lewis U. former star ss, lined a double in his first atbat!
The large cheering crowd of fanily, relatives & friends all cheered widely as JJ flashed a big smile, as a proud dad, JOHN FURMANIAK, looked happily with tears of joy rolling down his HAPPY face! What a GREAT DAY! JJ WAS A MLB PLAYER!!!❤⚾️❤




Rest In Peace!!!!  I’ll always remember you from the old neighborhood in Bolingbrook🙏🏻❤️🙏🏻❤️

Jean-Ann Picha 

We share sadness with the family at this time of sorrow.  John was one of the nicest men I’ve known. Always had a smile for everyone he came in contact with. God rest his soul and bless his entire family with love and healing!

We will never forget you John!       
Bill and Denise Gliwa

Avery- papa was always supporting me during my soccer games my favorite memory is when he came to my games and give me credits and things I need to work on!! He will be able to watch more of mine and my sister games up as a amazing angel💕

OBITUARY

John "Foo" Furmaniak Sr.

August 7, 1948 – January 3, 2022

Ridge Funeral Home

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