James “Jim” Michael Gecan, Sr.
James “Jim” Michael Gecan, Sr., of La Grange, IL passed away on January 19, 2021 at 82 years old.
Jim is survived by his beloved wife of 41 years, Mary Ann Gecan (née Klaczak); his adoring children Ron (Mara), Mary (Travis) Burge, James Jr. (Kristin), and Michael (Tawny); and ten cherished grandchildren: Luke, Gianna, and Elena Gecan; Nathaniel, Noah, and Aurelia Burge; Emmett and Joseph Gecan; and Grace and Claire Gecan. Proud uncle to many nieces and nephews.
Jim was preceded in death by his father Frank Gecan, Sr., mother Frances (née Dorich), sisters Mary (Howard, deceased) Palya, Dorothy (Dick, deceased) Remus, Kay (Norm, deceased) Miller, his brother Frank Jr. (Jackie, deceased) Gecan, and grandparents: Ignatius and Mary Getson, Gasper and Mary Dorich.
Jim attended Chaney Grade School in Crest Hill (proud Mibs champion ’44, ’50, ’52), Lockport Township High School, Loyola University Chicago, and Benedictine University. He earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees after serving in the U.S. Army (1962–1963). He worked for more than 20 years in the Electro-Motive Division of General Motors, retired, and then worked at Veolia Transport until 2013.
In his spare time he was a baseball coach, Boy Scout treasurer, Sunday driver, storyteller, birdhouse maker, full-time home renovator, plumber, bricklayer, electrician, woodworker, landscaper, carpenter, and jack-of-all-trades. There was nothing he couldn’t do if he “put his mind to it.”
He was a humble man, full of integrity, purpose, and goodwill, and proud of his Croatian heritage, family, grandkids, and home. A lifelong student and teacher, he always had a book nearby and was ready to impart a word of wisdom. He filled your heart with his trademark wink, smile, “Jim Gecan story,” and big bear hug. He will greatly be missed and never forgotten, our hero, and now our angel. Until we meet again Pops…and oh, “Don’t take any wooden nickels!”
Visitation Sunday, January 24, 3–8pm at Hallowell & James Funeral Home, 1025 W. 55th Street, Countryside, IL. Group limit of 10 guests in the chapel at a time. Services Monday, January 25, 11am at St. Francis Xavier Parish, 124 N. Spring Avenue, La Grange, IL. Family and friends to meet at church. Please arrive a few minutes early to check in and be seated. Preregistration required:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/409044DAAA72EA2F94-james2. Unregistered guests will not be permitted into church. Group limit of 100 at Mass. Mass will be livestreamed at:
https://www.facebook.com/SFXParish.LG. Interment will be held privately at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery, Elwood, IL in Section 19 Grave 1758.
The Gecan family would like to express that due to Covid, a celebration of life and traditional communal meal will be scheduled when it is safe for all to gather together.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Jim’s name may be made to the American Stroke Association, www.stroke.org (1-800-242-8721).
For Further Funeral Information: 708-352-6500
My sincere condolences to Mary Ann, Ron, Mary, James Michael, and the rest of the family. I immensely enjoyed geting too know Jim and the time I got to spent with him. He will be truly missed. A remarkable man.
Dear Gecan family and especially my buddy Mary Ann: On behalf of “the spa weekend girls” (Mara’s friends from high school and college) as well as my husband Jeff and son Matthew, I wanted to convey our deepest condolences. I got to know Jim through Mara, who is married to his son Ron. Jeff and I are very good friends with Mara and Ron, and I just adore Ron’s mom and enjoyed getting to know his siblings as a result of all of us being in Ron and Mara’s wedding together. Jim was never anything but nice to me, and I enjoyed getting to know him. I am so heartbroken for you all. May his memory be the most beautiful blessing, and I am really so very sorry for your devastating loss. We are here for you all. And, to Mara, Ron, Luke, Gianna, Elena: We love you and will be here for you in the days that follow.
Jim was my friend and neighbor for over 20 years on Spring Avenue in La Grange. My fondest memory of Jim was his playing Santa Claus to the neighborhood kids. He relished the role. We know you are in paradise with your beloved family who predeceased you.
Hugs to all in the family. I know you will truly miss him. I’m proud he served his country. All our love.
Aunt Mary and family we wish we could comfort you at this time. Hugs and love, Steve & Tracy Cwik
Jim was a friend and neighbor of ours for over 20 years on Spring Avenue in La Grange. Our fondest memory of Jim was when he played Santa Claus for the neighborhood children. He was wonderful and seemed to enjoy it immensely
Our deepest condolences to the entire Gecan Family. We marveled at Mr. Gecan’s many talents and his kind spirit. May the memories you shared and treasure bring you great comfort in the days and weeks ahead.
Mary, peace & prayers to you & your family & hold the sweet memories of your Dad close to your heart.
My sincere condolences Mary to you and your family. Lord bless all of your family !
Our deepest sympathies. We are sending our thoughts and prayers. May his memories live on.
We are so sorry to hear of Jim’s passing. We met Jim and his lovely wife Maryann at “Cookies “ or in Kay & Norm’s back yard 2 or 3 times a year! It was always a delight! They would each share their newest adventure, good or bad. Please celebrate his life! The twinkle in his eyes, speaks of a life well lived!!!
Dear Mary Ann, I am so saddened to hear of your loss. Sending you my love and prayers for solace and comfort. You are a special lady! Condolences to your family, especially Mike.
My heart goes out to the entire Gecan family on such a deep and profound loss. I remember when he would come visit Mike in Portland and the deep bond between the two. Sending my love and prayers.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family, Mary Ann.
My condolences to Mary Ann, Ron, Mary Beth, Jim, and Michael. I hope that the collective company you can offer each other and the memories share may comfort you.
In my time with your husband and father, I never knew him to be anything but kind and warm. I learned a few things about telling a tale from him, most notably about how to grab attention at the outset with a question. I will miss seeing him and hearing his stories. He left an impression on me in how sincere he always was and his willingness to put self-interest aside in favor of being a “team player.” There is a lot to learn about the way he lived his life.
BIG hugs to all of you. I will keep “Papa Bear” Gecan in my prayers.
Dear Gecan Family: We are sorry to hear of the loss of your beloved husband and father and grandfather. He was a wonderful neighbor when we lived next door on Spring Ave. God’s blessings to all. May your wonderful memories sustain you in your time of grief and loss.
Ron & Betty Chaggaris
What a beautiful Funeral Mass! May Jim Rest In Peace and may Mary Ann and the entire family be comforted by God’s eternal love.
Dear Mary Ann, Ron, Mary, Jim and Michael; Luanne and I are tremendously blessed and grateful to have come to know all of you by virtue of our daughter Tawny’s marriage to Michael. Jim Sr’s charater, integrity, virtue and kindness are displayed, everyday for all of us to observe, by the way his family lives their lives. For me, there is no more compelling testimony, for how a person lived their life, than to observe it every day in the lives of his family. It is a privilege for us to have known Jim Sr. and to know all of you and we pray God to receive his soul and comfort all of you during this time. Luanne and Ed Frazier
Dear Gecan Family: I was lucky enough to work with Jim during his time at Veolia after I had just arrived to the US from France. What I will remember most about him is his large smile and overall kindness to everyone, as well as his hilarious stories. It was a blessing to get to know him. May he rest in peace. All my thoughts & prayers are with your family.