Jerome Robert Vainisi

Jerome Robert Vainisi was born on October 7, 1941 to Anthony and Marie Vainisi (nee Delisi). His parents were determined Italian immigrants who saw the opportunity of the American dream and instilled in their children the values of education, hard work and accountability, and a deep commitment to family. Jerry applied those values throughout a highly successful career and impactful life.

Jerry is best known for his 15 years with the Chicago Bears, where he served various financial and legal roles until NFL founder and Bears’ owner George “Papa Bear” Halas appointed him General Manager in 1983. During his four years as GM, Jerry helped lead the Bears to an overall record of 47-17 and architected arguably the best team in NFL history – the Super Bowl XX champions. He later spent three years as head of player personnel for the Detroit Lions, where he drafted Barry Sanders, and five years as co-founder and head of football operations for the World League of American Football / NFL Europe.

More recently, since 1999 Jerry has been owner and Chairman/CEO of Forest Park Bank in Forest Park, IL. His career also included stints as an accountant at Arthur Andersen and as head of Hinshaw and Culbertson’s Sports & Entertainment law group. He is a graduate of Georgetown University and Chicago Kent College of Law, and a member of the Chicago Sports Hall of Fame and the Italian American Sports Hall of Fame.

Notwithstanding his storied professional career, nothing was more important to Jerry than his family and friends, all of whom benefited from his boundless generosity. He took pride in providing well for his family. “Papa’s Lake House” in Lake Geneva, WI became a cornerstone for Jerry’s family, where they gathered for summer weekends, holidays and celebrations, enjoyed many meals, and reinforced the value and importance of family.

Jerry and Doris (nee Lane), his wife of 33 years and lifelong dear friend, have five children – Mary (Tom) Rogers, Jerry (Tracey), Jack, Mark (Jen) and Melissa Love – and 14 grandchildren – Tony, Dori (Matt) Boyce, Ben Rogers, Maria, Kate (Scott) Eggleston, Jack, Jerome, Joe, Grace, Nick, Will, Sam, Lane Love and Michael Love. Jerry was blessed with a large extended family, including three siblings –Jack Vainisi (Jacqueline), Samuel (Gretchen Schmidt D.V.M.) Vainisi D.V.M., and Patricia (Jim) Oakes – and many cousins, nieces and nephews, as well as many wonderful friends, including Kathy McKay, Jack and Joann Schultz, and Nick and Mary Guttilla.

Jerry is survived by Doris and their children, many grandchildren and his brother Sam. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Jack and sister Pat, his grandson Sam, and his in-laws Arthur Lane, Pearl Lane, John Nash, Jim Oakes and Jacqueline Vainisi.

The family is hosting two visitations: Thursday, October 13th, 2022, from 3 - 8 pm at Woodlawn Funeral Home, 7750 West Cermak Road, Forest Park, Illinois 60130, and also Friday, October 14th, 2022 from 9 am to the 10:30 am mass at Old St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, 700 West Adams Street, Chicago, Illinois 60661. Private interment.

In lieu of flowers, please treat someone you love to dinner.

For information contact Woodlawn Funeral Home, 708-442-8500 or www.WoodlawnChicago.com.