My sympathy and condolences to you Bea and family.  I enjoyed the photo gallery and the CenterSquare journal article about you--an inspiration to me for our work since 1995 at Waters school and riverbank gardens.

I was sorry to hear of Joe's passing. I was a student of his at GBN in his mass media class.  His passion for what he taught, and the way he urged us to work a little harder to understand what was below the surface helped shape the person I grew into. Whether he had us learning by doing, by watching or just listening, he got us to be blend comprehension with creativity. Mr. Tersch was an outstanding teacher whose words of wisdom stick with me to this day. Joe helped me to see the world in a different way, and showed me passageways when all I saw was a series of roadblocks.  He will be missed.

I worked with Mr. Tersch at Northshore Racquet in Northbrook, Illinois and he was one of my English teachers also. He changed my life early on. One of the Best teachers I have ever had !           George Brown  Class of 1973

So sorry for the loss of Joe. We will miss him. Joe greeted us every morning on the dock as he came by to check up on his love.  We will cherish the memories of Sailor Joe and his red sail boat. God Bless.

I was so socked when I was told of Joe's passing because I had been talking just last week on the dock. We will miss him

Sad to hear of our friend Sailor Joe's passing.  He always had a friendly smile and laugh for anyone passing his way.  "How's it going captain" was a familiar refrain from Joe!  He'll be missed by everyone at Belmont Harbor/D Dock!

we'll miss seeing you at the dock-usually we were the only ones there and had lots of good conversations especially last week when you were painting and getting ready for the sailing season. you were a great example of living life. go with God. it won't be the same on the D dock with my neighbor gone. i was there friday and told all the people i saw. it seemed joe knew everyone. we are all shocked and saddened. life should not be wasted-every day is a gift.

I didn´t get to meet you in this life Joe, but I know your brother Anthony. I know that you are fine now Joe, but Tony is very sad and he being sad, saddens me. I wish we could have met, even if only on Internet.

Thanks to a great friend Dan Ansbaugh in Lake Stevens, Washington for calling early this morning to advise me of the sad passing of another great friend Joe Tersch in Chicago. 
"A dark cloud just rained on me". 
I had the pleasure of meeting the Tersch family Joe, BJ, Walter & David in Fiji in 1986 on my leaving work in Papua New Guinea. 
From the time we met at the side of the swimming pool at the Nadi Hotel we became connected - 'Kindred Spirits', a flare for life, love and fine friends. 
Joe, Bea and I have remained in regular contact, with the Terschs' visiting Australia on several occassions either finding me at home in Cairns or in Sydney while visiting family there. Sydney being a special place for Terschs' to visit not only for the beaches but ofcourse other great frineds made along lifes journey.
My heart is deeply saddend with news of Joes' passing as it will create a void deep in my soul, yet memories not lost.
All my love and heart felt feelings are with Bea, Walter and David, all brothers, sisters, neices, nephews and many others that were also so close, many of whom I had met.
Sail smooth seas my friend, great days!

25 years ago, a good mate I worked in Papua New Guinea with (Dave, from Cairns, Australia), met Joe and his family in Fiji while on an extended vacation, and a short time later, I was to know of Joe(&B) of Chicago, as they were to know of me in Seattle. This the the world of synchronicity that Joe lived in, for the moment, with love and laughter. 

We didn't meet face to face for 14 years, but when we did, it was like long lost friends. Thanks for sailing my direction old friend, may your sails always be full.

The news hit
as a strong hammer
to the soul

Oh, Joe
boatman Joe
Captain Joe
Captain of the Virginia Street gang

Oh, Joe
we miss you so 

with a heave-ho 
and off to sail
you go

most noble
most gracious
most honored in our hearts

Joe, with care and grace
we will embrace
and hold your family dear
as you sail 
the last race 

Oh, Joe
Captain Joe
We miss you so

BJ, we are shocked and stunned, and deeply saddened. Our hearts go to out to you.

There were no short conversations with Joe. With a perpetual smile on his face he was energized from within to connect and have a heart to heart conversation whenever the opportunity appeared. When we talked, he wasn't working the room looking to see who else was around, he was fully engaged in talking with me whether we were talking at a neighborhood function, on the river bank or at the health club. He was one of those souls who enjoyed every moment of life. A sad gap in a wonderful family. He will be missed.

Everyone was totally shocked by your passing. Joyce and I send our deepest sympathies to B.J., Dave, Walter, and all of your family and friends who will miss you immensely.
Joe, you have been my best friend for over half a century. We first met in grade school, attended a Catholic seminary together. We bought Lorelei, a wooden sail boat that started your love affair with sailing. We traveled around the world and made many friends and had once in a life time experiences. Salty Red was your next “love”, a sail boat that became a vital part of your life. You became a seasoned sailor and I admired your expertise with this craft. You shared many wonderful times with friends and family on Salty Red and it became a focal point for fun.  I will always cherish these memories.
Joe, I loved you as a brother. You were a loving, generous, and very special person. You have left behind, two wonderful and talented sons, a loving and caring wife, and friends and relatives who will miss you so much.

Dear BJ, Walter and Dave,
I am so sad for you and for us. We loved Joe through all those years together at GBN. He was a great colleague and friend.
We have enjoyed his annual bulletins with photos and news of you all. Our prayers are with you today and always.
Lots of love, Sue and Harvey Gerry

Our deepest sympathies. Joe and all the Tersch's are in our prayers. Thank you for remembering our Misericordia residents, during these hard days.

I'm so sorry for your loss, B. The garden club will donate to Misericordia in his name.

Dear BJ, Walter and Davey,

We will miss Joe. Thank you all for being such lovely, caring neighbors to me and my family so many years ago! 

My heart reaches out to yours, with love, with sympathy, with caring. The heart remembers most what it has loved best. May your memories together bring you peace.

Thinking of you with love at this difficult time.

To the friends and family of Joe Tersch, you have my deepest sympathies and my condolences--I am so sorry for your loss. I was the editor of the GBN yearbook in 1986--back when we typed text on carbon paper with typewriters, and pasted yearbook spreads together with glue and cardstock. Mr. Tersch, as I think of him, was such a marvelous adviser to all the students who put the yearbook together, and a standout teacher. He was so supportive of our ideas for the yearbook, and our ideas for events and activities in school. He was one of my favorite teachers, and I even recall him hosting a gathering for us suburban kids in his city home. Please know that his caring and his insights helped make high school more bearable for me, and the yearbook project a joy. I last saw him at my 10-year reunion in 1996. I think of him often. Thank you, Mr. Tersch.

My deepest sympathy to you Bea and your family.

I did very much enjoy Joe during the time we lived next door. He was always nice to talk with and spend time with on the river.

I taught with Joe at GBN.  He was a bright star in the English Deparrment.  His smile, stories and compassion were a daily delight.
My condolences on your loss.
You were given a real gift having Joe and his legacy will live on.
Teri Sklar

Bea, Dave & Walt,
Words can't express how deeply we treasure your family.  Joe will be in our hearts and we will think fondly of him whenever we look out at the Lake.   Our love and condolences,
Yuki & Larry

I can't believe this. I was just talking to Joe last week. He had such a wry way about him, such a witty man. Bea, I am so sorry, please accept my condolences

I will miss you and the stories we shared.  To a great guy and a great teacher.  A loss for us all, too soon.  A lot of years together at GBN.   You were one of the stalwarts.

I just met Joe once when I took over a leaded glass window to him and Bea for repair for my landlord, Tom Fleming.
The window was really damaged and Joe did an outstanding job of repair.  It looked impossible, but it is now back in and looks beautiful.

I was so thankful to have met him.  He was hospitable and offered to give me a tour of their backyard on Virginia.

My deepest sympathy to you, Bea, and to
your family and friends who knew him and loved him.  I am sorry I did not get to know him better.

This is very sad, I remember seeing Joe's very friendly and smiling face at Galter LifeCenter, and he brightened the room every time.  To Joe, for being the nice, gentle and outstanding man that he had been.  There is a little less light in our world now.  Take care BJ.

I always enjoyed teaching with Joe and am so glad that I had a chance to know him better when he+ visited us in San Diego. His humor brightened life for all who knew him as did his ability to get along with everyone. He will be very much missed.

Like many of us community activists in the Greater Rockwell neighborhood I knew Joe mainly through Bea. Recently I asked Bea, who has some talent with stained glass, to help me repair the leaded glass window leading to the balcony of my building. The task was beyond Bea but Joe did a great job on that window.

So if you're ever walking by 4719-2 N Talman Ave and happen to look up you might see that window - a small monument to Joe's talent, kindness & generosity.

Smooth Sailing Joe it was nice to have known you.

Dear Joe,
  I just cannot believe you're gone.  You and B.J. are our oldest family friends. We knew your before you were married and you found the apartment on Virginia for us.  Living next to you and B.J. were the happiest years of my life. You knew how to nurture and celebrate, and most of all, you knew what was important: family and friends. You cradled our children and rocked them on the Salty Red, all the while being the best father I had ever known.
  And for Anna you were THE BEST GODFATHER EVER, loving and encouraging all her interests, and always accepting, so that when she bought a card for you on Father's Day she picked the one that said, "For one who has been a father to me." She said you were her second father. And she has two "godbrothers" to prove it.
  We are so sad to lose you and so grateful for the time we had you as our friend and our family.  We treasure the memories of dinners at your house or ours, and of adventures camping and on the Salty Red. We will help take care of B.J. until you are together. Your family is ours.
  A light went out of the world on Monday, Joe. But that love you gave to all of us, we will now share with one another.  We will never forget you.
Whenever I see a sailboat, I will think of you.
Love,
Alice

OBITUARY

Joseph F Tersch

April 1, 1946 – June 18, 2012

Drake & Son Funeral Home

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