Robert M. Olszewski Sr.

Robert M. Olszewski, Sr. of Kankakee died Thursday, March 26, 2015, after a battle with pancreatic cancer. He was 73. Olszewski was born on July 24, 1941, to Peter C. and Emily Vengrin Olszewski on the South Side of Chicago. He graduated from Kelly High School, Woodrow Wilson Junior College, Mundelein University and Roosevelt University, where he earned a master’s degree in business administration. He married Susan (Toby) Reid at St. Rita of Cascia Roman Catholic Church in Chicago on Dec. 2, 1961. They have six children, five of whom were born at Little Company of Mary Hospital, in Evergreen Park, Ill., and the sixth at St. Mary's Hospital in Kankakee. He is survived by his wife, children and grandchildren: Robert M. Jr. and children Zachary, Hillary and Emily; Susan A. and Thomas Kinard and son Julian of Blue Island, Ill.; Jonathan M. and Taryn (Irps) of Clifton and children Tyler, Reid and Abigail; Matthew M. and Patricia (Wheeler) and children Matthew and Alyssa of Kankakee; Katherine and John Robbins, of Manteno, and children Lucas, Joshua and Mia; and Brendan and Denise (Renckens) of Orono, Minn., and children Grady and Madeline. He is also survived by his brother and sister-in-law, James S. and Mary (Addeo) Olszewski, of Elmwood Park, and nephews James (Bonnie), Peter (Sarah) and Philip (Annette) Olszewski. He was preceded in death by his parents, grandson Maxwell Robbins and niece Terri Olszewski. Olszewski’s career spanned more than 30 years and included working a chemist in research and development for several paint technology companies including Mobil Chemical in Kankakee, which he joined in 1968 when he and the family moved to Kankakee from Hometown, Ill. He retired from Arvin Roll Coater, where he was a vice-president of research and development, in 1999. In 1982, Olszewski and his wife purchased the Bourbonnais Herald, a weekly newspaper, where his wife served as editor and publisher. The paper is managed by his son, Jon. In 1984, they purchased The Beverly Review, a weekly newspaper in the 19th Ward of Chicago managed by his children Robert, Susan and Katherine. An avid collector in his retirement, he operated a booth in the Manteno Antique Mall. He loved his family, coffee, golfing and fishing. Visitation will be held Wednesday, April 1, from 4 to 8 p.m., at Clancy-Gernon-Hertz Funeral Home, 1480 W. Court St., in Kankakee. A Funeral Mass will be held Thursday, April 2, at 10 a.m. at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Kankakee. Memorials may be made to St. Patrick Church or Bradley Bourbonnais Rotary Club.

Robert M. Olszewski Sr.

July 24, 1941 - March 26, 2015