George J. Popp, Jr.
George J. Popp, Jr., age 96, of Indian Head Park. Beloved husband of the late Georgia R. Popp (nee Hlavka). Loving father of Barbara (late Michael) Kelly, Kathleen Popp, late George Alan (Diane) Popp and Maribeth (Ken) DeMoor. Devoted grandfather of Carolyn (Joe) Marchand, David (Pam) Kelly, Laura (Robby) Jones, Brendan (Becca) Kelly, George A. (Barbara), Daniel, David and Kaitlyn Popp, Brian, Steven (Colleen) and Diana DeMoor and the late Janelle Popp. Dear great-grandfather or “Grand Pops” of Luke, Barrett, Cole, Kylie, Charlie, Evelyn, and Brooks. Fond uncle. Visitation 8:30am until time of chapel prayers 9:15am on Friday, Nov. 20th at Hallowell & James Funeral Home, 1025 W. 55th St., Countryside. Group limit and social distancing guidelines in place. Mass 10:00am at St. Cletus Church, LaGrange. Group limit of 40 set at church. All family and friends must pre-register for Mass at https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0D4DA9AB2CA6FECE9-george. Unregistered guests will not be allowed to attend. Please arrive a few minutes early to check in and be seated. Interment to follow at Queen of Heaven Cemetery.
Memories of George – Words Shared by Family & Friends
Buzz cuts in the yard, knuckle breaking handshakes, someone to look up to! Baseball practice with Slug in the yard, Brian’s first Notre Dame game, Loon Lake in the summer, and master of the iPhone ghost dialing like a pro.
George loved working at Harris Bank where, before computers, he was vice president establishing early mainframe units as a key part of the financial establishment. He was elected President of UNIVAC Users and enjoyed the annual meetings along with the family. He wrote the first check to go through the mainframe at Harris. It hung in the Natural History Museum for a few years and was always an adventure trying to find it on museum visits.
He continued the banking family tradition at Harris Bank by getting many of the family jobs there too! He recruited many of us to sell Tootsie Rolls at various safe locations while he was always in the middle of busy streets. Constant corrections on our vocabulary. George would, in his own subtle way, let us know that there were no such words in Webster’s Dictionary as, “NOTHIN’”, “YA”, SOMETHIN’”, “CAUSE” or “AIN’T”. I wish I WERE vs. I wish I WAS.
He loved his football, baseball, and basketball pools. There would be no bothering him when the game was on or before the game when he was making his picks. Lots of calls to Josephine to see “if we won”, sometimes he got lucky!
He was a die-hard Cubs fan and took many of his family to their first Cubs game, even catching a foul ball during batting practice. If you happened to be a fan of the other team in Chicago, you got the look.
We all got calls asking what we called for when it was actually he who had called us. He loved to keep in touch with family and friends, and loved to be the first to spread any good news that might come up.
George was a fixture in the neighborhood, sitting in his rocker just inside the garage – reading, snoozing, talking on the phone, etc. Neighbors would stop by and chat, dogs loved him for his treats and knew exactly where they were located. Families cutting through the driveway would call out “Hi Mr. Popp”. He so enjoyed the company. He will be missed by many.
Due to failing eyesight, it was easier to ”kiss” the garage wall than to stop short. Of course the hole in the drywall must have been done by someone else, not him. The same went for the dents on the car that would pop up on occasion. He never hit anything!
He loved ushering at St. Cletus on Saturday evenings, and had to get there early to greet everyone. He was also a regular at daily mass and rosary either at St. Cletus or St. John of the Cross. He was a long-time member of the Holy Name Society and enjoyed running the raffles and announcing the winners. George was very active in the Knights of Columbus Berwyn Council #4200 rising to the rank of Grand Knight.
One of his favorite activities was playing cards with his friends in Florida and Hinsdale. He was always ready for a card game and it took priority over everything else when on the calendar. He would have played every day if he could. George was the patriarch of our family and a cherished friend to many . . . he will be missed.
For further funeral information, call Hallowell & James: 708-352-6500
Barb – I am a person from your past and do remember your father a tiny bit; my condolences to you and the whole family. Ironically, my mother, Barbara Emmenegger, passed away two weeks ago and that is why I was checking this site for some information and saw the notice/picture of your father. My mother was 102 and still lived in Western Springs. You are in my prayers as you go through the difficult days ahead – we are on similar journeys once again as we were in grade school/High School. I hope the peace of the coming Christmas season will bring some comfort to you and the family – Sue Emmenegger Biskup
To George’s family members, I wish to extend my sincere condolences regarding his passing. You are, as I am, losing a great man known to us. All of us will miss him, but are thankful that we knew him.
George was a “true spirit of the holy name society” of St. Cletus parish. He and his two partners, Danny and Feeley, livened up our two Holy Name dinners annually. He was the mainstay of the 5:00 o”clock Sunday mass. I have known him since 1993 because of the Holy Name and am going to sincerely miss his bubbling, lively personality. Glad to have known you George: hope to see you in the next life. Good bless your soul.
I worked at the bank from 1971-2007 under John he Baly and Jim McCabe. I remember your dad and wanted to wish my sincere condolences on his passing. I saw him at the last few retiree lunches and always sat close to him so we could talk. He always asked about my wife as she met George when she worked. He came to my mother’s wake services with Reggie when my Mom passed. Sorry I could not make the services as my wife and I are staying home during these difficult times. He was a role model for me and I respected him as a manager and more so as a person. I will miss seeing him at the lunches and talking to him.
Dan Franciskovic