Alex H. Giertych

 Alex H. Giertych, 91, of Mokena was born in Chicago to the late Alex & Julia Giertych and passed away on April 18, 2024.  Beloved husband to the late Marian R. (nee Bartkiewicz) Giertych; loving father of the late Theresa Golaszewski, Stephen Giertych, Nancy (Charles) Pearson, Joseph (Christine) Giertych, and the late Annette (Jeff) Ondrejka; proud grandfather of Daniel, Heather, Robert, Laura, Michelle, Alison, Megan, Mary, and Kevin; very proud great grandpa of Rileigh, Hunter, Chase, Camryn, Ryan, Hanna, Johnny, James, Tyler, and Rebecca; Uncle "Pete" to many nieces and nephews; dear brother of the late Henry (the late Eleanor) Giertych, the late Alfred (the late Rita) Giertych, and the late Edmund (Patricia) Giertych; brother in law of the late Joseph (the late Virginia) Barker, Sylvia (the late Albin) Jablonski, the late Florine (the late Thomas) Gartland, and the late Aloysius Bartkiewicz.

Alex was born at home on March 16, 1933.  He grew up in South Chicago, Illinois in the St. Mary Magdalene parish, graduating from Bowen High School.  He met his future wife of 53 years, Marian Bartkiewicz, at a baseball game in 1949 and gave her a ride home on the front handles of his bicycle.

Alex was a proud veteran and served as an aviation electronics technician in The United States Marine Corps from 1953-1956, stationed in California. During this time, he married the love of his life, Marian, on April 19, 1954.  After he was honorably discharged, Alex & Marian returned to South Chicago and began building their loving family of 5 children.   In 1965, they built a new home in South Holland, Illinois and over the next 50 years, raised their family and became grandparents.

Alex worked at R R Donnelley in the Chicago Manufacturing Division as an electrician for 36 years and obtained an Associates Degree from Thornton Community College at age 45.   Once retired, he enjoyed trips to Florida with his beloved wife, frequenting their condo in Orlando, visiting family, and taking special trips to Marathon Key.  

In his later years, Alex lived independently in his Mokena townhouse which he loved!  He diligently read the daily Sun Times newspaper, enjoyed going to the library, shopping at garage sales, and loved spending time with his family and friends including his longtime childhood friend Stanley “Babe” Buchnat.  Alex passed on April 18, 2024, reuniting with his beloved wife Marian for their 70th wedding anniversary.