Jack "Ripper" Facinelli

Jack “Ripper” Facinelli, age 86 of Crest Hill, returned home to be with the Lord on March 13, 2025 while in the compassionate care of his loving family in his longtime home. He was born in Joliet, IL on January 5, 1939 to his parents Henry and Mary (nee Sega) Facinelli.

Jack spent his entire life mastering the art of the “Facinelli Goodbye”. For those who are unaware, a “Facinelli Goodbye” consists of saying goodbye to anyone visiting, and then continuing the conversation with one additional point, or maybe six additional points, to follow that goodbye. This process ultimately resulted in the need to say goodbye again and start the process all over again, even while following the departing vehicle down the driveway to shout out that last final thought. It’s tied to love. It is a product of enjoying the people that share your life and wanting to extend your time together indefinitely. Jack worked hard during his life. The most notable stops in his career were with GAF and The Arsenal, while ultimately ending with his retirement from Lewis University. He was a longtime parishioner of Joliet’s historic St. Joseph Church Parish. He was devoted to his beloved Chicago White Sox and Miami Dolphins, watching them play countless games from the comfort of his “Man Cave” with a glass of wine in his hand. He also enjoyed socializing as a member of the Moran AC. He was a caretaker at heart, whether maintaining immaculate grounds at his workplace or his homestead, caring for and maintaining his many vehicles over the years, tinkering in the garage, or most importantly caring for his beloved family. He loved to cook for his loved ones and he was always sure to have a sweet treat available to share with his grandkids, neighborhood children, or his grandpuppies. Anyone that joined Jack on a project knows that he had his own unique way of approaching everything, truly proving the old saying that it isn’t about the destination as much as it is about the journey. During the final months of his life, after Jack had decided with his medical team to forego life extending care, he carried on in true “Facinelli Goodbye” fashion, loving until the end.

Jack was preceded in death by his parents Henry and Mary; his daughter Dawn (the late Jeff) Wierzbinski; his sister Rosemarie (the late Jerry) Oxley; and his dear friend Joe Troha.

He is survived by his daughter Lyn (Mark) Michalak; granddaughters Amanda Michalak and Caitlin Wierzbinski; grandsons Nate (Sarah) Michalak and Tyler (Colleen) Wierzbinski; great grandsons Wellington Jackson III, Maximillian and Bennett Michalak, and Lincoln Wierzbinski; as well as his beloved “Cuz” Tony Zwirblis among many other extended family members, friends, and loved ones.

The family would like to offer a special note of gratitude to Rose McGrath and Jean Michalak, as well as Leslie, LaToya, and the entire staff at Dover Hospice for the selfless care that they each provided throughout the twilight of Jack’s life.

A Celebration of Life Visitation will be held on Tuesday, March 18, 2025 from 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm at Tezak’s Home to Celebrate Life, 1211 Plainfield Rd., Joliet, IL 60435. All guests are invited to regather at Tezak’s Home to Celebrate Life at 12:00 pm on Wednesday, March 19, 2025 for chapel prayers before traveling in procession to St. Joseph Catholic Church, 416 N. Chicago St., Joliet, IL for a Mass of Christian Burial at 1:00. Immediately following Mass, we will process to Jack’s final resting place at St. Joseph Cemetery, 1500 N Raynor Ave. Joliet, where he will be interred alongside his parents.