Lou Gale

Louis M. Gale, age 78, passed away on May 18, 2023.

Lou was born on Nov. 20, 1944 and was raised in a multi-generational home in Rockdale, IL. Surrounded by the love of his mother, sister, grandparents, uncles and aunt, he grew into a strong man, especially following the early death of his father.

Throughout his formative years, Lou excelled at sports, especially baseball and football. During his time at Joliet Township High School, he took the 1961 Steelmen to the first unbeaten football season in the school’s history and the first championship in the South Suburban league. Following the season, Lou was selected to the 26th annual News-Gazette All-State Football Team and received The Sporting News’ National High School All-America Award.

Following the football season, Lou played on the 1961 Colt League Championship Team, which won the World Series in Abilene, TX that year.  When he returned for his senior year at Joliet Township High School, he was a member of the varsity baseball team, which had a successful 14-4 season with Lou receiving the class of ’42 Memorial trophy for the most valuable athlete during the 1961-1962 school season.  He was also named to the 1962 All-South Suburban League Baseball team.

He attended the University of Wisconsin, where he played football and baseball, before transferring to Bradley University (graduating with a Bachelors of Arts in 1967) to be closer to his girlfriend, Beverly J. Kusnik.  Married since 1969, they lived in Richton Park and raised two children in the company of a close-knit neighborhood filled with friends who became family.

A road builder and estimator, Lou worked for more than 25 years at Gallagher Asphalt in Thornton. Prior to his retirement in 2013, he was the estimator and project manager for the Chicagoland Speedway in Joliet, which he was very proud of. An avid golfer, Lou could be found most weekends on the links or traveling to local golf tournaments. His children and his grandchildren all developed a love of sports, which Lou supported wholeheartedly. He was often in the stands for lacrosse, softball, baseball and hockey games, usually sporting the team colors or a team hat.

Lou is survived by his children: Jennifer (Jeffrey) Allyn and Louis J. (Kristen) Gale; grandchildren: Connor, Madison, Henry and Jacob; his sister-in-law: Judy, and his brother-in-laws: Marty and William, and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife: Beverly; his parents: Vera M. and Louis Gale and his sister: Marianne Paskvan and brother-in-law: Richard Paskvan.

The family will receive relatives and friends for a visitation on Wednesday, May 24, 2023 from 9:00 a.m. until time of funeral service beginning at 11:00 a.m. at Tezak Funeral Home, 1211 Plainfield Road in Joliet. A private interment will follow, and Lou will be laid to rest with his wife, Beverly at St. Joseph Cemetery in Joliet.

In lieu of flowers please consider a donation in Lou’s name to the National Ataxia Foundation: www.ataxia.org.