Mr. Donald "Don" Hudek

Donald Joseph Hudek

Donald "Don" Hudek, age 68, passed away suddenly on Monday, March 25, 2013. He leaves behind his lifetime love, partner, and other-half, his wife of 44 years, Penelope Ann Hudek, nee Irwin; his loving and dedicated son and best friend, Michael John Hudek, whom he taught all he knew; his daughter in-law, Jennifer Marie Hudek, who loved him as a father and gave him grief for years; and son-in-law, Tony Chiuso. He leaves his granddaughters, Madison, Carrie, and Rylin, and his grandson who bears his name, Zachary Stanley Donald, who adored and loved him greatly and loved his breakfasts and napping with Papa Don on Saturdays. He leaves behind a caring sister, Sylvia Walter, brother James and sister-in-law Linda Hudek, sister-in-law and brother-in-law Judy and Jack Sensenich; nieces Katie, Stacey, Susan, Stacy, Leigh Ann, Deana, Autumn and Monika; nephews Greg, Gary, Casey, JT, David, Troy, Nick, Tim, Ray, Leo companion Tibetian Terrier "Newman," and many dear friends. Don will join his precious daughter, Carrie, as she greets him at the Gates of Heaven, where they will spend eternity together laughing, debating, and watching over all those that love and miss them here on Earth, until the day we, one by one, are rejoined together with God. Don was a rough exterior, marshmallow-filled man, a dynamo…complex, caring, generous man who devoted his life to his family and those that he loved. He was both a strong and soft man, all at the same time, whose passing has left a hole in the hearts of those that loved and will always love him. He was a man that brought himself up from his own boot straps, a fighter, organizer, a dreamer, an accomplished business owner (Del Mar Builders). He was also an accomplished golfer and an avid fly-fisherman. He was a foodie that loved the cottage life, grilling, and treating his grandchildren to ice cream and shopping trips. He loved holidays and being the "chef." He loved to travel and text pictures of everything from the food on his plate to something that piqued his interests. He gave his family his all, and he did all for his family. From watching his children graduate to dancing at their weddings, he was just a great dad. He gave us all the belief that there was magic as we walked down Main Street USA in Disney. He went too soon- we thought we had more time. In the words of his children, "He was my hero, he was my best friend. There is not enough room to write what he was to me". The family will receive friends on Friday, March 29th, 2013 from 9:00 AM until time of Funeral service at 11:00 AM at Kurtz Memorial Chapel, 65 Old Frankfort Way, Frankfort, IL 60423, followed by interment at St. Mary Cemetery, Mokena, IL. In lieu of flowers, donations to Carrie's Fund, www.carriesfund.org, will be appreciated.