John James Wadas

Born and raised in Chicago's Bridgeport neighborhood, John attended St. Barbara Grammar School and Weber High School, where he met his lifelong best friend and future business partner, Wally Setlak. He went on to earn his degree in Pharmacy from the University of Illinois. In his early twenties, John and Wally fulfilled a shared dream by opening Elsdon Medical Pharmacy in Chicago. Elsdon became a community-based independent pharmacy amongst the dominance of modern pharmacy chains. The commitment to exceptional customer service, a Polish-speaking staff, same-day delivery, and a welcoming atmosphere made the pharmacy a cornerstone of the community. Customers fondly remember not only the quality of care they received, but also the toys, gifts, home goods, Fannie May Candies, Precious Moments figurines, and the famous gumball machines that generations of families will remember.

Along with the excitement of becoming a pharmacist, John met and fell in love with Loretta “Lori” Pendzimasz. They married on November 22, 1958 and together built a beautiful life while raising their three daughters. John and Lori shared a love of travel, entertaining family and friends, and creating lasting memories in John's legendary "Don the Beachcomber" tiki basement. He was a devoted Chicago White Sox, Blackhawks, and Bulls fan who rarely missed the opportunity to cheer on his favorite teams. He also enjoyed fishing trips, card games with his buddies, afternoons at Arlington Racetrack, Broadway shows, the opera, and listening to great music. A lover of animals, birds, and nature, John found joy in the outdoors. His passion for golf was so great that in the 1980s he designed and built his mid-century home on a golf course.

John is proceeded in death by his cherished wife Lori, his loving parents, Angeline and John, his sisters-in-law, Dorothy Pendzimasz and Alice Bus, and his loyal companion, his cat Scooper.

John is survived by his daughters, Patricia Wadas, Barbara (John) Hall, and Marie Wadas; his beloved granddaughter, Jennifer Hall (Tony Comstock), whom he adored and with whom he shared his lifelong love of sports; and his treasured great-grandson and namesake, Liam John Anthony Comstock, whose birth brought him immense joy. He is also survived by his sister-in-law, JoAnn Kaminski, along with many nieces, nephews, extended family members, and dear friends.

John's daughters extend their heartfelt gratitude to the compassionate staff at Northwestern Hospital, Dr. Daniel Pohlman, and the dedicated caregivers at The Clare who provided John with exceptional care, kindness, and dignity throughout his later years.

John will be remembered for his unwavering devotion to his family, his generosity, his entrepreneurial spirit, and the countless lives he touched through his pharmacy, friendships, and work ethic. His legacy lives on in the family he loved so deeply and in the community he faithfully served.

Visitation for John will be held at Blake-Lamb Funeral Home, 4727 West 103rd Street, Oak Lawn, IL 60453, on July 31, 2026, from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm. A Prayer Service will take place at Blake-Lamb Funeral Home on August 1, 2026, from 9:15 am to 9:30 am. A Funeral Service will follow at St Catherine of Alexandria Catholic Church, 10621 S Kedvale Avenue, Oak Lawn, IL 60453, on August 1, 2026, at 10:00 am. Interment will be held privately at Resurrection Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that memorial donations be made in John's memory to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), honoring his lifelong love of animals.

https://www.aspca.org/ways-to-give?utm_source