David Stuart Armstrong
David Stuart Armstrong, “Dave,” was born in Rye, New York, on February 17, 1932, to Ellis & Virginia Armstrong and passed away peacefully surrounded by family, holding his wife Kathy’s hand, on July 7, 2024, at his home in Burr Ridge, Illinois.
The 7th of 8 children, Dave spent most of his childhood in LaGrange, Illinois. He served in the Korean War with the Army Corps of Engineers for 3 years and in 1955 he met Kathleen Suzanne Barr, when they danced to “Only You” by The Platters. Just two weeks later Dave proposed, and they were married on April 21, 1956. During their 68 years together, their family grew to include: their 8 children, David (Cathy) Armstrong, Christi “CJ” (late Jim) Aulisa, Cindy (late Randy) Anderson, Greg (Diana) Armstrong, Dennis (Gail) Armstrong, Katey Armstrong, Judy (late Joe) Slovak, and Ginny (Tim) Toepfer; their much loved grandchildren, Mary (Nick) Mardirosian, Dan (Nicole) Armstrong, Casey (Travis) Gravitt, Scott (Carly) Anderson, Sarah Armstrong, Nicole (Tim) Rachoy, Danielle (Greg) Fouladi, Maggie Driscoll, Jessica (Tyler) Bantz, Allyson Slovak, Joseph Slovak, Cidney (Tyler) Smith, Tyler David Hasz and Emily Toepfer; and their cherished great‑grandchildren, William, James, Brooke, Brennan, Bridgette, Maddy, Chase, Finley, Emma, Leo, Thomas, Cayson, Ainsley and Kelley. And finally, Dave’s caregiver and unofficial 6th daughter, Sundy Bordonada, and close friend, Mark Church, who gave so much care and love to him in recent years.
Dave & Kathy spent their early years living in Aurora and Elgin, then moved to Moline where he built their first house, ultimately moving their family to LaGrange Park in 1969. He enjoyed playing golf, he also loved tennis and played regularly; a tennis match was sure to be on the TV if Dave was watching. He was a devout White Sox fan, known for asking all he met, “Do you like baseball or are you a Cubs fan?”. Dave could really “cut a rug” and instilled a love for music in all of his children, starting a good number of days with a stirring rendition of “Oh What a Beautiful Morning” in perfect pitch. A huge classical music aficionado, he will be remembered for blasting Rachmaninoff while driving his beloved pontoon on Lake Allegan in Michigan, where he and Kathy spent many happy years with friends and family.
Dave won’t just be remembered as a wonderful father and grandfather, but also as a faithful friend to many and a man of God who valued all life. He gave thousands of hours to his community and church in volunteer work, coaching many School, Park District and Little League teams. Rarely saying “I love you,” Dave instead would simply state the simple word “more,” which is exactly how much he was loved and will be missed.
To celebrate his life on earth, a wake will be held on Wednesday, July 17, 2024, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Hallowell & James Funeral Home, 1025 W. 55th Street in Countryside, Illinois 60525. A funeral mass will take place on Thursday, July 18, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Francis Xavier Church, 124 N. Spring Avenue in LaGrange, Illinois 60525.
In lieu of flowers, donations to St. Francis Xavier Church may be made in Dave’s name.
Funeral Info: (708) 352-6500
I’m so very sorry for your loss. I only met Dave a couple times in the past few years because I met his daughter Judy when I moved to her neighborhood. I have heard so many stories from her about her family and her parents, it truly has shown me what a great family she was blessed with! My prayers will include the entire Armstrong family through this time… ❤️
Lenore – thank you for those beautiful words of kindness. You are right – we are blessed with such a wonderful man as our father.
So sorry for your loss
Thank you!
I was lucky to have grown up down the block from the Armstrongs. Mr and Mrs A. were my second family. I was always invited to stay for dinner and often accepted. My joke with Mrs A after cleaning my plate was “this chicken is good but I think my mom makes it better”. I have memories of Mr A taking me along camping in the pop-up. Also memories of the block parties, remodeling the basement, painting one side of the house each year, and working on cars in the driveway. And of course the many parties and festivities. I wish peace and love to Mr Armstrong and all of dem Armstrongs.
Tom Young (and Tina too)
Thank you, Tom. My Dad really loved you!
We had so much fun growing up on Kensington with the Youngs!
My sincere condolences to you Judy and your entire family. What a beautiful tribute to your Father. You all were so blessed to have what sounds like an Amazing Father and Godly man in your lives. I’m sure he has a special place in Heaven!
Thank you, Sandy – we are truly blessed!
I have so many fond memories of MrA and the entire Armstrong family. I always felt welcome and blessed to be a part of the big, loud and happy energy that filled their home. Mr A always ready with a smile and a clever joke or comment. The great parties and block parties and summer nights on the front porch. You were loved and admired Mr A, thank you. j
Thank you Kristie. We had so much fun on Kensington – I know my Dad treated you like another daughter!
I have so many amazing memories of grandpa. Looking back on pictures and videos makes it hard to be sad when his memory makes me smile and laugh. How lucky we are to have such an amazing soul in our hearts.
He was so proud of you and loved you greatly. ❤️❤️❤️❤️. Love, Aunt C-wah.
My sympathies to your family. I only met him a few times when he ventured out east to visit family. It sounds like he had a wonderful life! Love Robert Plant, his nephew (His sister, Virginia Armstrong Plant was my mother).
lol. The rock star!!! Thank you. We read these to my Mom! CJ
Peace and love to the Armstrong Family.
Thank you so much Ronda. Hope all is well. ❤️❤️❤️
I am so sorry for the loss of your Dad! He was such a stitch! He always had a smile on his face. We have so many fond memories of him and the brood of wonderful children he and your mom created! Each one so special in so many ways. You all were great neighbors and friends growing up, and everyone was so helpful to everyone else on the block whenever needed. We were actually one large block family! My Dad so enjoyed your Dads company. Will never forget your Dad painted the side of your garage for my mom’s birthday! Or your mom and my mom sending the exact same card back and forth every year! I’m Praying for your families during such sad times! He was greeted at the gates from all that loved him on earth! He will be an excellent guardian angel to watch over you all! He will be missed by so many!
Sending hugs, love and prayers during this sad time.
So many great memories we all shared, being in newspapers for largest igloo in your back yard, playing games together everyday. Everyone having best gardens, we’d grab and eat from as we played together always! Or the famous whistles each of our Dads had to beckon us home. If I remember correctly, you had a dinner bell on back porch! We had best block parties, progressive dinners, golf, softball games, and famous trivial pursuit games at Wolf’s, eating egg soufflé late into the nights year after year! Loved watch our parents dancing laughing and making best memories for us kids.
That was the greatest gift they all gave us!
Happy memories! We had the best block!!! Best families, making life long memories. East side of street was alway winning at games! I remember he brought home a motorcycle when I was younger, and I stepped on the hot muffler and burned my foot !
We all learned lessons, we all loved playing together, hide and seek, ghost in graveyard, statue maker. Riding bikes, dads making us all stilts, being and going to pet parade yearly. Our families gave us the greatest gifts of so many wonderful memories. He will be missed here by so many! And welcomed by even more in heaven. He made an impact of so many lives!
You all should be so proud of your Dad!
Maybe now he and my Dad are playing golf or baseball in heaven!!! Making everyone laugh and smile!
Prayers for you all!!
Love, The Shenkel’s
Best tribute to our families!! Kensington Rocked!
(I tried to insert pics of the side of the garage where Dad painted Happy Birthday Eileen and also the big igloo 2-house stories high. Well, we just need to keep them in our memories and our hearts.)
What a wonderful tribute. We have a picture of the garage side and igloo, if you’d like one. Email me at cjaulisa58@gmail.com with your email or text!
To you all
We are so saddened for your loss, Dave truly had so much personality and presence! I know you will feel the loss greatly.
Kathy you were both so blessed to have each other – yin and yang! I’m sure your presence at the very end was so comforting to him as he left this world for the next.
My mom and dad loved you both so much, the Armstrongs-Tuckers became like family. I know there is a wicked game of bridge going on now between reunited friends.
Blessings, love and peace to you all.
Sara, Bryan and Veronica Walsh
Thank you, Sarah. What a joyful reunion we all have to look forward to.
Armstrong family, I am so sorry for your loss. I appreciated being able to read more about Dave. Sadly, I was not able to fly out for the service today, but my thoughts are with you all.
I always loved going over next door to the Armstrong cottage in Allegan. I was welcomed with open arms and fresh bacon, even when I was pestering Dave, who would be trying to enjoy his morning card game to himself.
I’d like to think the warm and accepting Armstrong cottage I grew up infiltrating in the mornings is the culmination of two loving parents, Kathy and Dave, who have undoubtedly passed this on to their children and so on.
I’ll share an anecdote for those that did not get to witness. One day when I was a freshman in high school, Kathy, Dave, and Katie were visiting my parents and playing cards. I was hiding out downstairs with friends and we may have partaken of a green plant variety. When I went upstairs for water, Katie made sure I came over to say hello. I walked over to greet and hug Kathy, whom was sitting at the table. Suffice it to say, it is not easy to hug someone sitting down while you are standing, especially for a taller person. I can only imagine the cringes of everyone watching because when I stepped over to Dave with my arms open he said, “No thanks I’m okay”. And I do not blame him one bit.
With love, James
What a great tribute! Thank you. I will show my Mom. CJ