Philip Gregory Kardasz
Philip Gregory Kardasz, 81, of Willowbrook. Beloved husband of Betty. Loving father of Gregory (Debbie), Katherine (Joseph) Paterno, Lynn, Deborah (Mark) Roper and the late Michael. Devoted stepfather of Patrick, Steven (Cindy), James and the late Michael (Lisa) Day. Dear grandfather of many. Visitation 3 to 8pm with a Private Family Service at 8pm on Friday, July 10, 2020 at Hallowell & James Funeral Home, 1025 W. 55th St., Countryside. Due to the current health situation, masks are required, social distancing will be observed, and only 50 people will be admitted at a time. Interment private. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions to Shriner’s Hospital for Children or Wounded Warrior Project appreciated. Phil taught and coached at Maine West High School, as well as Maine East and South and Bolingbrook High School. He was chosen out of 350,000 coaches and inducted into the AFLAC National Assistant Coach of the Year. Funeral home phone 708/352-6500
My thoughts are with Phil’s family as they cope with their loss. I was privileged to work with Phil in Dist 207. We were both graduates of Gordon Tech HS. I am glad that Phil and I were able to meet and work in the area of special education. May your faith and family bring you strength during this time.
Big Phil was one of are football coaches it Maine west high school in the late 60s. He was a coach that loved ya if you did what he said but was on ya if you didn’t, but that’s what I loved about him. To Big Phil’s family I am sorry for your loss. Just remember that there’s a bigger family out there of people he coached that will miss him just as much.
I was fortunate to know Phiil as a fellow football coach at Maine South and later as his athletic director at South. In both those roles I truly appreciated his passion for coaching. I also valued his loyalty and support. Behind his “tough” exterior was a soft spot for less talented athletes who he would encourage and take “under his wing”. He will be remembered fondly and missed by many.
Phil was many things,, a husband, father, teacher, coach, craftsman, antique collector, and many more things. However, I will always remember him as my friend. I will miss him.
There are a small handful of very special teachers / coaches who helped shape me into what I have become today – Mr. Kardasz was one for them. I grew up living very close to him in the 60’s, and was coached by him for two seasons at Maine West; I still have the “Animal Chain” (a dog choker) he awarded me! He instilled in me the ability to push myself beyond limits physically, mentally and spiritually. It’s been almost 50 years since I was coached and mentored by him, and yet to this day I’ve thought of him often. I last saw him at a wedding celebration for a dear friend, and I’m so grateful to have had that opportunity to take him aside and tell him just how much of of an impact he had in shaping me and my life. To see a tear come to his eye was something I never expected… To all of his family and friends I extend my heartfelt sympathy.
Rob
I often think about coach, as well. He taught us toughness and work ethic. Without a doubt, coach is one of the cornerstone men that have passed through my life
Coach was a huge reason I was fortunate enough to have played in college at Drake. Later, when my youngest wanted to play football, I coached and went on to coach freshman for 5 seasons. Many times during practice, I would smile, because it would occur to me what I just said or taught, was a derivative of Coach Kardasz.
I always got the feeling he cared about each and every one of us. Although his demeanor was gruff, you knew he had a warm heart.
I guess what I’m saying is I loved him, although, i wasn’t afforded the opportunity to stay in touch.
Rob, I hope you are living a blessed life. You were the player I aspired to be our freshmen year.
John
Hi John ~
I can only imagine the feelings you experienced while reflecting on memories of coach Kardasz during your practices and the feeling of channeling his wisdom and caring.
Due to COVID, I did not attend coach’s visitation, but when it’s finally safe to travel, I plan on making a trip to the practice fields at Maine West and pay a private tribute to the great man. Those practice fields, where one Monday he kept us linebackers and linemen after a long, hard practice for an extra hour doing pick-ups and five-yard sprints because we had the gall to actually lose a game! Coach Kennedy came back out to tell him to give us a break; coach Kardasz got in trouble due to parent complaints, but I look back at that experience as a valuable lesson in developing toughness and would not have traded it for anything.
Do you recall the pre-game “warm-up” you and I did before an away game at Maine South?
I hope you are doing well and thanks for reaching out with your memories.
Best ~
~ Bob / jazzdrummer54@yahoo.com
Coach Kardasz had an impact on my life like so many others. I played for him in the early 70’s before leaving Maine West to move to California. There is one quote from him I will aways remember and I still live by to this day , ” Don’t Make Excuses, Make Good”. That one quote has lead me through many trying times in my life. Now more than ever, we need more mentors and leaders like him. He will be missed.
I was blessed to be a colleague of Phil’s at Maine West and we drove to work together for awhile before he retired – I have plenty of fun stories and memories of Phil and will always remember him fondly with a smile! He was a lot of things to many people; he was ALWAYS genuine. A man’s man with a heart of gold behind a crusty and rugged facade – I got to see him kiss his wife goodbye many mornings and he was still a schoolboy in love every day. God’s speed Phil – you will be missed, though your legacy lives on in the lives of all you’ve touched – we are better people for knowing and learning from you!
Coach Kardasz was the reason I played football for 16 years, he instilled tremendous
Passion and love for the game In me. Between the scoreboard drill and the animal chain, you would learn everything you needed to know from him to play line.
A great person, Coach and teacher,
Gods Speed Coach!
Coach Kardasz was the best football coach that I ever played for.
He was a super motivator of young men.
I considered him a Big Brotber and he was a good listener.
Although I had not seen him since 1971, I thought about him often.
Rest in Peace Phil.
Your friend,
Nick Fininis
To all who have written here, thank you for your kind words. I loved my dad. He was tough as nails on his kids. It wasn’t until my later years that I actually had the gift of getting to know him as a person. I have loads of funny stories and kind quiet moments with my dad. I know how much he shaped me for better and yes for worse too. But he was my dad and he did the best that he could. I love him and miss him. Thank you all for your special words. They mean a lot. Words cannot describe how much I miss him. Thanks guys! Lynn
I don’t know if anyone will ever read this. Heard about Robbie Gould being hired as Rolling Meadows coach today and thought of the 2 best coaches I had at MW: Les Janusch and Phil Karsasz. Both had a positive impact to this day. Fondly remember talking with Phil outside of football.
Bob Dolan ‘85