Eugene J. Jagodzinski

Eugene J. Jagodzinski, age 89, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, February 26, 2014 surrounded by the love of his family.

Eugene is survived by his beloved wife of 67 years, Genevieve (nee Gawinski); his children, Elizabeth (John) Zaborsky, Julie (Albert) Clark, Lynda (Robert) Hedtcke, Kathy (Frank) Mason, Eugene Jr., Tom (Sharon), Mark, Jerry, and John (Christine) Jagodzinski; grandchildren, John, Amy, Jennifer, John R., David M., Stacy, James, Cara, Christopher, Nicholas, Emma, and Joseph; great-grandchildren, Elizabeth, Liam, Kennedy, Vivien, Michael, and Caleb; one sister, Geraldine (Robert) Wheeler. Numerous nieces, nephews and cousins also survive.

Preceded in death by his parents, Martin and Charlotte (nee Zolecki) Jagodzinski; siblings, Sylvester, Florian, Richard, Raymond, and Julius.

Eugene was born and raised in Lemont, IL. He then went on to serve in the United States Army in the 10th Mountain Division and received the Purple Heart. Eugene was a proud World War II veteran. During the war he got to know the love of his life Genevieve through correspondence. After the war they married on June 10, 1947. In his later years Eugene began working for Argonne National Laboratory where he retired after 33 years of service. Eugene was a proud and dedicated parishioner to St. Patrick Church in Joliet. He was an avid gardener and loved to golf and play horseshoes. Eugene's greatest asset was his family. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and brother who will be dearly missed.

In lieu of flowers donations in Eugene's name to Joliet Area Community Hospice would be appreciated.

A celebration of Eugene's life will begin on Monday, March 3, 2014 with a visitation at Tezak Funeral Home, 1211 Plainfield Road, Joliet, IL from 9:00 a.m. until 10:30 a.m. then driving in procession to St. Patrick Catholic Church in Joliet for a Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. Interment to follow at Resurrection Cemetery in Romeoville.