Eugene L. Gawalek

Visitation for Eugene L. “Gene” Gawalek, 82, of Hawthorn Woods for 50 years, will be held Monday, May 8, 2017, from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the Funeral Mass, 12:00 p.m. at St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church, 33 S. Buesching Road, Lake Zurich.  The Interment will be private.  Father David Ryan will officiate.

Gene was born June 26, 1934 in Chicago, and passed away on May 3, 2017 at Good Shepherd Hospital, Barrington.

Gene was a proud Korean War Veteran having served in the United States Air Force in Okinawa.  He married Mary Ann Gruber August 31, 1957 at Sacred Heart Church, Chicago.  His career began as an electrical engineer with Western Electric, went to AT&T, and then from there to Lucent Technologies.  He enjoyed gardening and was a talented artist specializing in woodworking, mosaics, and concrete statuaries.  

Beloved husband of Mary Ann Gawalek (nee Gruber); loving father of James Gawalek, Mary Ann (Michael) Rydel, Danelle (Keith) Fedorev and the late Eugene “Butch” Gawalek Jr.; loving grandfather of Daniel, Desiree, Stephanie and Nathan; dear son of the late Bruno and Angeline (nee Kurowski) Gawalek; dear brother of Edmund Gawalek and Harriet (Richard) Grecek; brother-in-law of Daniel (Noreen) Gruber and James (Helen) Gruber; uncle of many nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the “Fix-it” Campaign, c/o St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church, would be appreciated.

He was a mentor and role model to his beloved family and friends, and was a faithful parishioner at St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church.