James J. Gregorash

James J. Gregorash, age 70, passed away peacefully on Friday, May 3, 2013 with his loving family by his side.

James is survived by his loving wife of 42 years, Ardis (nee Johnson) Gregorash; his beloved children Tammy (Dean) Lameer and James (Myra Grachan); grandchildren Nicholas, Lexi, Lysi and Gianna; his sister Dorothy (Aloysius) Zupancic; sister-in-law Jackie (Bill) Entwistle; brothers-in-law Joe Johnson and Chris (Ginger) Johnson-Derusha; numerous aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews also survive.

He is preceded in death by his parents Mary (nee Schiltz) and Joseph Gregorash.

James was born and raised in Joliet and graduated from Joliet Catholic High. He was a proud United States Army Veteran and a parishioner of St. Joseph Catholic Church. James worked at Benedick Service Station where he made several lifelong friends. After the service he became an IBEW Local #1460 member and was employed at Commonwealth Edison as a boiler operator at station #9, where he retired after 29 1/2 years of service. After his retirement he became a bartender at MerichkaA�??s Restaurant. James was a member of KSKJ #29, the Moran A.C., the Loyal Order of Moose Lodge #300 and CECO Recreation Club. He loved race cars, fishing, the outdoors, his cherished dog LuLu, spending time with his buddies and most of all his family. James always put his family first and will be truly missed.

The family would like to offer a heartfelt thank you to the entire staff at the Joliet Area Community Hospice Home for their wonderful care.

A Celebration of JamesA�?? life will begin on Monday, May 6, 2013 with prayers in the funeral home chapel at 9:30 a.m. then driving in procession to St. Joseph Catholic Church in Joliet for a Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. Interment to follow at St. Joseph Cemetery in Joliet. Visitation will be on Sunday, May 5, 2013 from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at TezakA�??s Home to Celebrate Life.